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 your loss. Cookie will be deeply missed. Hope it helps to know that others care and will miss her, too.
I’m so sorry for your loss. They take a piece of our hearts when they go, but we are better for knowing them.
I am so sorry for your loss. It’s heartbreaking to lose a fur baby.
I am so sorry to hear about Cookie! She will be greatly missed! I loved your post and it really conveyes how much she meant to you. My heart goes out to you! Much love, Guni
Cookie will be waiting for you ‘on the other side’. Have faith.
Dear Kate, Your article describes just what dogs do for our lives. They enrich us and sprinkle us with daily joy. Not that we don’t have challenging times and difficult transitions but they are great teachers on living and unconditional love. Cookie is still with you so look for signs. Soon she will move on to her next chapter. Peace and love to you.
Kate I am truly sorry for your loss. You were so lucky to have had each other at exactly the right time. What a blessing. Sending you a big virtual hug.
So heartbreaking. Cookie will always be there, keeping an eye out for stray popcorn kernels. Thanks for sharing this story.
My heart goes out to you during this very difficult time. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet and that there are no words to make it better only time will do that. May she live on in your memories of her. Hugs to you and your family.
My condolences on thr loss of Cookie. It is very difficult to lose a pet. At an older age some people I know say they won’t get another when their current pet dies. For various reasons, but usually includes that they cannot go through another pet loss. I hope you will adopt a dog for more wonderful times together.
So sorry for your loss of Cookie. She was a wonderful dog and you gave her the best life possible! I believe we will be with our fur babies someday.
I’m so sorry for your loss & may her memory be a blessing ❤️
I’m so so sorry your sweet Cookie has passed. She was a very special and was so lucky that you were her person. I’m sure she was so proud of you! Have faith that everyone we’ve loved will be reunited again. Thinking of you❤️
Gosh, I am so sorry. My heart is broken for you. Losing a friend like Cookie is heartbreaking. I also lost a dog to lymphoma. A lot of care and love gave her another 2 years, despite being initially given weeks by the vets. You did absolutely the right thing. Every extra day with her and every day she had with you was priceless!
My heart goes out to you, Kate! Dogs are true love in every sense, and it doesn’t get better than that. I raised my first, a shepherd/beagle/terrier mix, from a pup many years ago in NYC – He came from a rock band called Elephant’s Memory which used to play with John Lennon (I’m very old!). My second dog was a tan version of Cookie, a spunky little mutt I met as a stray on the street. She stared at me with a look that said “Take me home, NOW” & I did. I loved them both with all my soul and know what that loss feels like. Your natural grief will one day become just gratitude for everything Cookie did for you, which you so eloquently describe. PS: I have your book, love your recipes and website, am on your e-list.
Take care,beautiful lady. Your good vibes are important, they help keep the world going around.
Thank you for your kind words and support Carolyn! I appreciate it.
So sorry for your loss. May her memory be for a blessing.
I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a furry buddy is losing a family member and it hurts so much. Cherish your good memories, of which there were many. My heart aches for you.
So sorry Kathryne. So hard to lose such a special friend. Hugs.
I know exactly how you feel and I could not have said it better. You brought tears to my eyes and soul. With losing my black lab, Bruno, he was only 7 year old and that was 40 years ago. I will always remember him. You are very fortunate to look back with fond memories!!
I am so, so sorry for your loss. Your story with Cookie is beautiful, and it sounds like she knew when you would be ready to go on without her. What you created together is a magical thing and I know she is so very proud of you. Please remember that the jar that holds grief never empties – the jar itself just expands to allow more beautiful things inside. You are loved and Cookie has many friends over the Rainbow Bridge to share her stories with. <3
What a touching and beautiful tribute to Cookie. No doubt what so ever that Cookie lived a very full, rich and loved life! So sorry for your loss.
What a heartbreak to lose a beloved pet, companion, friend. May your memories be sweet, and hopefully, another dear pet will again lighten up your life with joy, surprises and happiness.
I know how hard it is to go through this. But you are so fortunate to have had such a loving warm life together. There will be another lucky soul that finds you. I recently adopted another rescue after losing my last in August. Hang in there. Teach your daughter how important the love of a companion is (probably already knows).
I love and appreciate your recipes!
I am so so so sorry! I totally understand! Just put my one and only part of me down in July. Still crying about her. I’m so glad you got to be with her when old. I truthfully don’t even know what to say to make this easier. They become so much a part of us, even more and a different way then humans can. We’re so lucky to experience their everlasting, non judgemental, and loyal love!
Oh, no. I’m so sorry! We just lost our 10-year-old pit bull, Titan, a month ago. He was a big lovable pup who never hurt anyone. Wanted to play with the cats but they weren’t having it. He would sit with me on his cushion while I worked. He snored while we listened to jazz music together. He had those eyes like Grommet, but was always up for a nibble of whatever you were having.
Eighteen months before, we lost another pup, a 14-yo-mutt named Spencer. We buried Titan near Spencer, and we hope they’re happy again.
My condolences.
Kate,
You have my heartfelt sympathy. The death of my “heart dog” 20 years ago changed me forever. She softened me in so many ways, one of which is to feel the heartache of others in such a loss almost personally. I cried for you in reading your beautiful tribute to Cookie. You will never forget a moment of your precious friend’s life but the grief will gradually lift. Warmest regards to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your writing of your love for Cookie is beautiful and I send you hugs as you morn her loss.
Sorry for your loss.
What a touching tribute to Cookie. I recently lost Violet, my 12 year old chocolate lab and my best friend. This is a difficult time but the memories are priceless. Thank you for sharing.
So sorry to hear about your Cookie. Thanks for letting us know. I will think of you as you navigate the days ahead without your soft, cuddly companion. I just wanted you to know that I love your recipes and you are my go-to site first thing, when I’m trying to figure out how to prepare something. Your recipes are simple and healthy, which is what I always look for. You have been there with me around many of our family dinner tables and that makes you an honorary member of our family. A heartfelt thanks to you.
What comes out of your outpouring love with your time together with Cookie comes out of your recipes, done with a lot of heart.
So incredibly sorry for your loss. Pets are family!!!
God bless your sweet Cookie. We are so blessed when we find the love and friendship of a furry forever friend. Remember all the good times with her, it will help at this difficult time.
Love your recipes. Sorry for your loss
I’m so sorry to hear this. Doggie Heaven has tons of treats, endless walks, and bunches of squirrels to chase.
Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend, dogs are.
Prayers for you and your family.
❤️
It is always hard to lose a dog which gives unconditional love and is so faithful. I feel so bad for you wondering if you did the correct thing. Giving the love you did to Cookie was the best thing she could ever experience! She sounds like the perfect “taste tester” whether you intended her to have the treat or not!
Loosing your best friend is heartbreaking and no words of comfort can take away the pain. I pray for your comfort as you grieve.
I have enjoyed cookie and Kate site for years and have recommended your site to my meatless, gluten free, nondairy, vegetarian friends. Your recipes have graced many meals on our table.
Cookie will always be with you in spirit and in your heart.
Thank you for your dedication to healthy food and your adoring fans
Tonia Hearst
So very sorry about Cookie!!! You love Cookie soooo much and we all love Cookie too!!! Seriously, I am crying right now. Such a sweet and loved pup! My heart goes out to you
Oh, Kate, I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our 16 year old puppy last year and I still walk around calling his name. I know your beautiful memories of her will get you through.
I am so sorry for you’re loss
I am heartbroken right with you. Dogs are definitely a special gift!
So sorry for your loss. Our pets are out family. I remember a movie called “All Dogs Go to Heaven”. Please find peace in her rest.
Very sorry to learn that you have lost your good canine friend. My dog is a similar age, and I know I will miss her greatly when her time comes.
So sorry for your loss. I want to thank you for the beautiful post about your “puppy love.” I’ve lost two dogs in the last ten years and the grief of losing a fur baby can be debilitating; especially for the ones that came to you as a tiny baby. I truly hope there is a pet/human reunion after death because I think I need that for my heart to be whole again.
Kate, What a lovely tribute to Cookie. We too lost our family dog Casper on January 2nd. He was 13 1/2 years old and he too died of old age. We miss him dearly and remember fondly and with love all the true joy he brought to our lives. Thinking of you!
I’m so sorry for your loss. You gave Cookie a wonderful life. It’s so sweet hearing how she helped you transition from one phase of your life to another. xo
So Sad to hear of Cookie’s passing over the rainbow bridge. It makes me grieve all the times I have had to endure similar experiences, knowing my loved ones are forever in my heart. I have enjoyed the stories you shared with her by your side as you cooked.
It was “just a dog” some say. Except to us they are so much more than that and there are just not words. I said goodbye to Mickey a year ago and I don’t think I will get another dog it just too much heartache to say goodbye. They don’t live long enough. The feeling of loss, sadness and heartbreak are also very lonely because people just don’t know how you feel. That said I am so very sorry for your loss of this special pup.
Dear Kate,
My heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your beloved trusted friend. Our furbabies are truly our family and make our lives so much richer with their simple love, devotion, and personality. Your writing was a wonderful tribute to Cookie. I’m so glad you had all that time with her.
Blessings, Janine T.
I’m so so sorry to hear about cookie I’ll miss seeing her ❤️ sending love your way
I am so sorry Kate. May your heart be filled with love every time you think of your beloved Cookie <3