11/25/2025
Charlie Cost
August 2012 – November 24, 2025
Charlie was a rescue who spent his entire life giving back to the Cowboy family. He joined Pete’s Pet Posse in 2013 as part of the inaugural class, and from that moment on, he served Oklahoma State University with unwavering loyalty, comfort, and heart.
He rescued his parents, Brad and Kendria Cost, in April 2013. Lost and alone while wandering around Keystone Lake, he somehow managed to pick the right house — and they knew immediately he was something special.
For more than a decade, Charlie was a steady and beloved presence on campus — greeting thousands of students, lifting spirits, and offering that familiar touch of home. In 2019, he proudly accepted the OK Humane Society Hero Award, and in 2024, the OSU community elected him P3’s Pawsident during the Bark the Vote campaign. This fall, he welcomed his 13th class of OSU freshmen, a tradition he held especially close.
Charlie also loved dressing up as Santa Paws during finals week each December… or maybe his mom loved it more. As long as a treat was involved, he would happily do or wear just about anything. He never met a treat he didn’t like — except for that one Milk-Bone he was given at the Walgreens drive-through. He spit it across the next lane of cars and hit the window of the pharmacist who offered it. (A true story his family will laugh about forever.)
Charlie also proudly served as the inspiration for the Cowboy Charlie chatbot through the Office of Student Success, helping guide new students and making them feel instantly connected — even when he wasn’t physically present.
At home, he was deeply loved by his mom and dad, and his P3 sister, Sutton — who, if we’re being honest, mostly tolerated him but always knew he was family. He connected his mom to people she never would have met otherwise, creating friendships that grew into family. Those relationships remain among his greatest gifts. He adored his family and was always the star of family gatherings, going from person to person for ear scratches and belly rubs. He especially loved sneaking into the kitchen at night to share midnight snacks with his dad while his mom was asleep.
After a series of life-threatening events in recent years, Charlie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on November 13, 2024. A team of dedicated veterinarians worked together to keep him comfortable, happy, and healthy. Until last week, he remained joyful and strong so he could continue serving the university he loved. We are deeply thankful to Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital and Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists for the love and care they provided. We are profoundly grateful for his veterinarian and second mom, Dr. Alissa Huckabay, who has been part of his story from the very beginning.
Words cannot capture the depth of our sorrow, but our hearts are full of gratitude for Charlie’s life, legacy, and love. He represented Oklahoma State University with kindness, steadiness, and true Cowboy spirit.
We love you, Char Char, and we’ll miss you. Thank you for a job well done.
