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.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Leslie
I can’t believe your precious cookie is gone. I’m so sorry but so happy you had this important relationship in your life. I will cherish the photos of her in your cookbook even more now!
KAROL PATRICIA HEATH
Hi Kate, I am crying, what a beautiful tribute to Cookie. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Kate
Thank you, Karol.
Carol Sachs
I am terribly sad about your Cookie. I know what it is to lose your beloved animal companion. We brought home our first Siberian Husky in 1965 and have had that breed to this day. Lots of losses, lots of tears and a hole in our hearts for each one. We started to have two at a time when we had our third Siberian and that continued until we aged then felt we had to go back to one at a time. We had all females and 2 human girls. People don’t understand what profound sorrow we feel unless they have been there. My tears come now and then for all of them. Deepest sympathies to you and yours. Cookie will always be in your heart.
Kate
Thank you for your kind words, Carol.
Joani Shaw
I am sorry for your loss of such a great dog, Cookie.
Thank you for letting us know. And the advice of appreciating what we have now.
Love and good memories prevail,
Sincerely, Joani Shaw
Val
When I read this last month I began to cry. I had always worried for you about this as I had lost my cardigan blue merle corgi of 15 years that Cookie always reminded me of. I was happy to have such lovely pictures of her when I bought your Love real Food. It was always so evident what a wonderful bond you shared. Thank you for all you share with everyone, including this most personal of your loss.
RIP Cookie you will be missed.
Kate
Thank you for your kind words, Val!
Victoria
Oh my I am so full writing this. My heart breaks as Cookie was a delight and seeing you two together is what first made me sign up for your blog. You were delightful together, two peas in a pod. I’m so very sorry and at the same time so thankful you had the experience of having her walk you through some of life’s greatest adventures. She will always be in your heart. Like you I had a similar experience with a dog that walked me through similar milestones. He left us 32 years ago and we have had other pets who have left their own special place, but his space is special. Even my children who don’t remember him revere the special place he held and still holds- and they are now adults! Be gentle with yourself.
Kate
Thank you for your kind words, Victoria.
Patricia Gomezbarrera
I am subscribed to your site. Please don’t doubt your decision, which was the best. Cookie had the best mother in the world and you gave her all of your love and made her happy and secure. Dogs are our teachers, our companions and if we learned more about their feelings and loyalty, we would undoubtedly be better human beings. I am very sorry for your loss.
Patricia
Cheryl North
So very sorry to hear that Cookie has died. She will always live on in our hearts and minds. It is a magic power that many dogs have and I have experienced it myself. God Bless all our dogs!
Alimama
So very sorry to hear about your beloved Cookie. It brought such joy to know she was always by your side. Our Roxie passed several years ago and thinking about time spent with her still warms my heart. And now we have Brodie to warm our feet and our bed. RIP Cookie. Good Dog.
Kate
Thank you for your kind words, Alimama.
Lisa Ann
Kate,
I am so sorry about Cookie’s passing. I shared a similar 15 year journey with my beloved dalmatian mix, Lucky, who I lost a few years ago. You were blessed to have such an amazing pup and she was blessed to have such a loving mom. I look forward to you sharing some favorite Cookie memories ❤️