Special Episode: They’re Never Just a Dog (For Cookie)
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This week’s episode of The Houses and Spouses Podcast is a little different.
Normally the show starts with a dad joke and moves into conversations about real estate, relationships, and the everyday moments that shape our lives.
This episode skips the dad joke.
Instead, Ryan shares a personal story about the recent loss of the Hamilton family’s dog, Cookie — and reflects on the powerful role pets play in building a home and shaping family memories.
Cookie’s story started long before she met the Hamilton family. She was found in an alley nursing her puppies, covered in ticks and later diagnosed with Lyme disease. Despite everything she had been through, she protected her puppies and eventually found her way to a loving home through Arizona Small Dog Rescue.
During the COVID years, Cookie became known as “Captain Cookie” while riding in a kayak with Lindsay on trips to the lake and the Salt River. She was fiercely loyal, protective of the other dogs, and completely obsessed with being near Lindsay — often sleeping under the covers pressed up against her back.
She didn’t really know how to “play,” but she knew how to love.
This episode also honors the many dogs who have been part of the Hamilton family and extended family over the years:
Evie
Lucy
Iris
Tito
Zoe
Roxy
Charlie
Hudson
Each one of them left paw prints on the family story.
Ryan also acknowledges that the Hamilton home still includes two dogs, Bennie and Luna, who joined the family after Cookie and are now adjusting to life without her.
Beyond Cookie’s story, the episode reflects on something bigger:
Dogs become part of the rhythm of everyday life.
They’re there during stressful seasons, family celebrations, late-night conversations, and ordinary Tuesdays. They witness it all — quietly anchoring the home.
And when they’re gone, you feel the absence of that rhythm.
As Ryan says in the episode:
“Grief is the receipt you get when you lose something you love.”
This special episode is about gratitude as much as loss — gratitude for the unconditional loyalty pets bring into our homes and the memories they leave behind.
If you’ve ever loved and lost a dog, this episode will resonate.
And tonight, Ryan has a simple piece of advice:
Hug your dog. Take the extra walk. Let them steal your spot on the couch.
Because one day, you’ll miss the sound of those nails on the floor.
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🎧 Full episode available now
👉 www.gannonhamilton.com/podcast
Ryan Hamilton
Realtor, Good Oak Real Estate
Wedding Officiant, The I Do Guru
LISTEN:
MUSIC CREDIT:
Theme music by Joey Gutos
Website: https://www.joeygutos.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/joey_gutos/
PRODUCTION:
Produced by Shontel Stanford
IG: https://www.instagram.com/inspiringbeautykeepsakes/
THE I DO GURU:
Wedding Officiant Services by Ryan Hamilton
Website: https://www.idoguru.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/idogururyan
GANNON HAMILTON REAL ESTATE:
Arizona Real Estate — Buying, Selling, & Community
Website: https://www.gannonhamilton.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/gannonhamiltonazre/
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