Farewell to Cookie, 2008 – 2023
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 6, 2024
I don’t want to tell you this because I don’t want it to be true, but we said goodbye to my beloved Cookie last week. Her smile and spunk lit up my days for over thirteen years and I miss her terribly. Thirteen years! I am the luckiest, and what I would give for more.
Cookie was my sidekick, my frontman, my best friend, my real-life teddy bear, my soul pup. As long as Cookie was there, I was never alone. I can almost feel her snuggled up by my side now. Cookie got me through the darkest of days and brightened the best. She kept me company through countless long days and long nights as we built this website from scratch. She taste tested nearly every recipe, too, whether I wanted her to or not.
In her earlier years, Cookie had a terrifying tendency to shoot out the front door like a rocket, which inspired immense gratitude for every day that we got together. Then she received a terminal cancer diagnosis, lymphoma, and defied the odds by living another two-and-a-half years. I always dreamed of taking care of her in her old age, and that’s what I got to do. Over the past year, she lost her hearing and her health declined, which felt more difficult and complicated than I ever anticipated. She died of old age, and while I’ll always wonder if I made the right decisions every step of the way, I am finding some peace and comfort in knowing that we spent all of her best days together. A dog could not have been more loved.
Cookie came into my life at the perfect moment, when I was fresh out of college and learning to live on my own. She walked with me all the way to marriage and motherhood. She left me exactly where I want to be in my upper thirties, with my loving husband and our baby girl. My heart is so full and so broken at the same time.
Cookie was extraordinary and so was our bond. I spent much of our time together wishing for what I have now, yet I’m feeling so sentimental about our special time together as Cookie and Kate. May this be your gentle reminder to appreciate what you have when you have it.
Thank you for cooking along with us and for finding joy in her antics. I’ll be back soon to share more photos and some of my favorite Cookie memories with you. She was truly the greatest.
So sorry for the loss of your dear Cookie, Kate. May you find peace and comfort in the memories.
Dear Kate – I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Cookie. All such losses are tough (I lost my dear husband of 40 years last year), and you can’t anticipate how hard grief can be. But as a good friend told me, pain is the price you pay for love. It’s worth it. Be well.
So very sorry for your loss. Beautifully written piece.
What a delight her smiling little face and those tiny little paws brought to me every time I glanced her in your newsletter or cookbook. To a life well lived, sweet Cookie.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It is so hard when we lose our 4 legged children:(
Hugs to you and your family
Oh Wow! I’m so sorry. From early on in your blog, I always looked forward to how you would incorporate her into the pictures for the latest recipe. My condolences.
I enjoy your wonderful recipes and thought it was an added bonus that they come from such a devoted animal lover. My rescue kitty and I send our condolences and many hugs.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie – she was truly devoted to you and will always have a special place in your heart. Take care. ❤️
I am so so sorry to hear about the passing of Cookie. Let your wonderful memories get you thru this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie! It’s The worst part about having pets; they are never with us long enough.
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your beautiful friendship with Cookie through your wonderful cooking.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Cookie. The dog shaped hole in your heart will always be there, but time will shrink it. In the meantime, May that Cookie-shaped hole be filled with more good and comforting memories than sorrow.
Hi Kate,
So sorry to hear about Cookie. Pups are such amazing companions/family members, and I feel your sorrow.
I hope you are doing well.
Regards,
Hydee
Dear Kate,
Your love for Cookie was so elegantly expressed. I have had dogs all my life (76 years) and each one was unique, yet shared similar personalities. I have been blessed with love from family, friends, and pets. I wish you the same as there will come a day when the hole left in your heart will be filled again.
Warm regards,
I am so sorry for your loss. A dog is a better friend and “person” than a human. Dogs love and act unconditionally and will give up their lives for their human. I feel so bad for you, but you were blessed to have her all these years. Be strong and comforted.
Kate, your tribute to Cookie was beautiful. May your lovely memories of her be a source of joy as you grieve your loss of her.
Kate, I cried as I read your post about your beloved Cookie. I am so sorry for you. May your fond memories ease the pain of grief for your family at this difficult time. Cookie will live in your heart forever and will always be by your side, watching over you.
Sincerely,
Sandra
Oh Kate, it can really hurt when pets go on to what must be the loveliest part of Heaven. As you say, they are pure Love, both in giving and in receiving. Pets live on in our hearts and in some of our most comforting memories.
Dear Kate. My heart breaks for you reading this. I’m so so sorry for your loss. It makes me well up as I know exactly how you are feeling. I am still bruised and grieving from loosing our beautiful dog Bruno in Feb 2022. He also died of old age- we had nearly 14 wonderful years with him, but we made the very difficult decision to say goodbye when he could no longer enjoy his life. It was the right decision but it was the saddest day of my life. That day is still very hard to think of, and the pain is very raw. Although we decided to get another dog 7 months after loosing Bruno, I still miss him terribly. The house seemed too empty without a dog… Our new dog is really lovely but has not yet filled the massive hole left by Bruno. It took many months for me to feel “normal” again after loosing him, so give yourself time You can feel comforted by knowing you gave him a great life and loved him like a family member. People come and go in our lives but dogs stay with us forever xx
Thank you for sharing your experience and kind words, Estelle!
Sending Cookie and you, lots of love, prayers and blessings.
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beloved companion. I adopted at a similar point in my life and know how uniquely close the bond is.
So very sorry to read this but what a lovely tribute to Cookie. Condolences to you, Kate.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I love dogs and had to put 2 done in 2022. I miss them horribly, but I got a new puppy to give me joy again. However, I’ll never quit missing the 2 that I lost!.
Beautifully written tribute!
I’m so sad to have read this. Rest easy Cookie. I will miss seeing her pics and reading her mentions. She and you were so lucky to have one another. Sending you healing thoughts during this tough time… Alicia
So sorry to hear about your loss of beautiful Cookie. Dogs have an incredible kind of love all of their own, and certainly you will have an empty spot for her in your heart. While 13 years is a good dog life, it is certainly not enough.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes and please know that your readers appreciate you and send you our sympathies, especially those of us who have loved and lost a furry faced family member
Hello Kate
I’m sorry for your loss of your furry kid Cookie, my heart aches for you. No right words for the grief and pain felt.
It will be a year next month, that my beautiful border collie Bella lost her fight with lymphoma also, she was was also thirteen.
I wish I was as strong and could put the life and loss of her to words like you, put me to tears but made me smile at the love and life for your beautiful girl.
Thank you for sharing yours, my heart goes out to you. brandy
Oh, Kate, I am so sorry for your loss. I’ve been there, so I know. You have been truly blessed. My heart goes out to you. Hugs!
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Cookie
My heart goes out to you as I know what it’s like to lose a beloved pet. We all feel your loss today. Sending warm hugs.
So sad to lose a friend like Cookie. I know your heart hurts. You have lots of fond memories to take with you on your journey in life. Thank you for sharing yummy recipes!
My deepest condolences for your loss, Kate. She was such a blessing and you loved her so well ❤️❤️❤️
I’m so very sorry to hear about Cookie! I know how painful it is to lose a fur baby. She will always be with you in the kitchen, and one day you will see her again.
Sending you {{{hugs}}}. Our fur babies are our lifeline. I’m sorry your Cookie has crossed the rainbow.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie. I have enjoyed so many of your recipes over the years and obviously they each hold some of Cookie’s sparkle and always will. <3
So sorry for your loss. Cookie sounded like an amazing companion. Thinking of you x
Aw, I’m so sorry. Losing a furry member of the family is the hardest thing. I’ll be making a C+K recipe in Cookie’s honor tonight. Take care.
Dear Kate:
I just read your letter about the loss of your beautiful Cookie. I am so so sorry for your great loss. Many of us know and understand the love of a pet, I think most especially a dog. They are just amazing best friends and, as you said, they always brighten your day. Cookie sounds like he had the most wonderful life with you. Thank goodness the Gord Lord blessed us with the ability to have beautiful memories.
I am sure Cookie will be with you always.
Sincerely, a Canadian reader, Patricia
I am so sorry to learn about losing Cookie. We had a Cookie too, who lived for 13 years. I always thought of her when I visited your website. I’m glad you had so much time with her and she was always there for you.
Beloved Kate & Family
I am sending your tender hearts much much love & light. Our pet friends are a precious part of our lives, hearts & families. I know this well. Be gentle with yourself. I know Cookie is always with you in spirit and her blessings upon us all we will cherish always. ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss of Cookie. I know the heartache all too well. Gentle journey, dear Cookie. You were loved and are greatly missed.
You have written the most beautiful tribute to your beloved Cookie. We have lost our pups too, to cancer and to old age and it is a heartbreak when we have to make the decision to let them go because they never ever want to leave us.
Thank you for sharing, Kate! Your kindness shows in your wonderful recipes and what better way to honor your pup!!!
So sorry to hear about Cookie. It’s never easy losing a pet. I’m sure you’ll cherish your memories always.
Oooooh I’m so sorry to see this post/email. It’s hard to loose a “furry sweetheart”! It’s never easy and they are not here for a long time…just a good time. But I swear Cookie had a GREAT time with you.
Oh! I am so incredibly sorry! I loved seeing pictures of Cookie in your cookbook and online. She was the best.
My heart aches for you.
You are in my thoughts. Sending peace. – Jen
I’m so very sorry to hear this. I’ve been visiting your blog for years as a silent reader, and have loved your Cookie posts. Saying goodbye to a pet is unimaginably heartbreaking, and the loss is profound. I said goodbye to my soul pup earlier this year so I understand how devastating it can be. Cookie is so lucky to have been loved by you, and you are so lucky to have been loved by her! She will always be with you. Sending you lots of Love
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our pets are such a huge part of our lives.
I have enjoyed your posts, recipes and cookbook for many years. Many of our family favorites come from you. Thank you and Cookie for being such a big part of our lives!
I wish you peace in the coming days. Cookie had a remarkable life with you!
Oh this breaks my heart. I am so, so sorry for your loss! But you guys had a great life together
Silent reader of many years here – I live halfway across the globe and your Cookie stories always brought me so much joy, alongside your fantastic recipes. So through you, she got to spread her light everywhere, what a special soul! Sending you so much love in these difficult times
Sending you endless light through this new journey…and know, Cookie is always near. Peace always