• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

  • My RecipeTin
  • My cookbooks!
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Iconic + cult classics
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish recipes
      • Salad Meals
    • Quick and Easy
    • Soups
    • One Pot – One Pan
    • Stewy slow-cooked things
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Salads & veg
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice (all)
      • Fried rice recipes
      • Rice (plain)
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
      • Ice cream
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • RecipeTin Japan 🇯🇵
        • Korean
        • Modern Asian
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • 🎄Christmas
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
    • Recipe collections
    • Cookbook recipes
  • My Food Bank
  • About
    • Me
    • RecipeTin Meals
    • My Cookbooks
      • Tonight (NEW!)
      • Dinner
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,790 Comments
Share
  • Copy Link
  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
Published9 Feb '26 Updated2 Mar '26

I held his paw and slept by his side for 14 days in hospital. But it turned out, all the love in the world wasn’t enough to save him. Thus begins the final post on Life of Dozer.

My dearest Dozer,

You came into my life in my arms, holding you protectively. And after almost 14 years together, I held you in my arms protectively again as I said goodbye.

I was sobbing so hard, I forgot everything I wanted to say to you in our final moments together.

So I started writing this letter to you, to say all those things.

I wanted to reminisce about our wonderful times – the thousands of visits to the dog beach, all the wonderful food we sampled together, the cuddles, the neck-scratching-sessions, our road trips.

Dozer Nagi at Bayview May 2022

I wanted to thank you for spreading the joy that is you with readers all around the world, for happily coming along with me to meet readers at events, book signings, fund raisers, lunches, dinners, not to mention TV shows, photo shoots, and my gosh, we can’t forget our stint on Play School!

Nagi and Dozer on Studio 10 Channel 10 cookbook publicity tour
Nagi-Dozer-Roundhouse-Crystalbrook-Newcastle-photos-by-Megan-Evans-Photography-5

But as I sit here, typing away with tears streaming down my face, I realise that’s not what I want to say to you.

What I want to say is thank you.

Thank you for giving me your whole heart.

Thank you for giving me your unconditional loyalty.

Thank you for loving me just as I am, for all my flaws, for never caring what I weigh, what I wear, what I look like.

Thank you for always being there, my one constant through the good and bad times.

Thank you for making me smile, even on the hardest of days.

And thank you for trying so hard to stay with me as long as you could, fighting to heal until your very last day. I will never forget how deep you had to dig to find the strength for your rehab walk on our final morning together.

I know that one day, I will be able to look at photos of you again without sobbing. And I know all this pain I am feeling is because I loved you so fiercely and completely, and I wouldn’t trade it for a second I got to spend with you.

But right now, four days after saying goodbye, it feels like the heartbreak will never heal, like I will never smile again.

Rest in peace, my darling Dozer. I will never forget you, and I will never stop loving you.

Love,

Your mum xoxo

Thank you SASH

To the vets and nurses at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH),

Thank you for the extraordinary care, skill, and kindness you showed Dozer. Every moment, from the medical expertise to the gentle reassurance and cheering him on, meant more to me than I can say. Knowing he was in such capable, compassionate hands gave me comfort during the hardest days. I will always be deeply grateful for everything you did for my beautiful boy. – Nagi x

Previous Post
The Final Chapter: Life of Dozer
Next Post
🌈 Rainbow Chicken Stir Fry 🌈

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




4,790 Comments

  1. Carol says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:53 pm

    Nagi, I’m so sorry that he’s crossed the Rainbow Bridge. My cat, Belle, crossed almost 2 years ago and I still say goodnight to her. Dozer will always be in your heart. Hugs.

    Reply
  2. Karabo says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:52 pm

    In 2020 I made a decision to learn how to cook….good food…came across you and Dover when searching for a pasta salad….ohh hle 💔💔…

    Reply
  3. Ali Farrell says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:52 pm

    Dearest Nagi, I can hardly see what I am writing due to the tears. I am so desperately sorry to hear your news, the sad passing of Dozer. I lost my beautiful girl Poppy, 13th November 24 and I miss her so much, I still think of her everyday day. Dozer was so loved and you gave him the best life. Thank you for sharing gorgeous Dozer with us, I will miss him too. Sending much love and hugs to you xx

    Reply
  4. Jan Murray says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:52 pm

    I’m broken hearted for you Nagi, such a beautiful boy and devoted companion.

    Reply
  5. Michelle Plummer says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:52 pm

    I am so so sorry to hear this sad news Nagi.. my heart goes out to you lovely.. xx

    Reply
  6. Heather says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    I am SO sorry Nagi, your story brings tears to my eyes and memories of our grief at the passing of beloved pets. My sincere condolences.

    Reply
  7. ivor williams says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    Such sad news to hear about Dozer. Loss of a great friend is always very hard. Stay strong Nagi.

    Reply
  8. Lucy says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    Nagi there are no words except he was SO LOVED BY YOU and all that follow you. Feeling your 😢 grief so raw.
    Sending lots of love to you your family and your family at RTE.Xxx

    Reply
  9. T says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    🥹😢

    Reply
  10. Heather says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    Sending my love and sincere condolences on the loss of Dozzer.

    Reply
  11. Yumi says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    ナギさん、心からお悔やみ申し上げます。Thank you so much for letting us get to know Dozer. He was the luckiest doggie to be your boy.

    Reply
  12. Margaret says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:50 pm

    So sorry for your loss. We are never really prepared for them to leave us and they never seem to be with us long enough. We lost our dear boy just after Christmas and I still cry every time I think of him💔💔🐾

    Reply
  13. June Maconaghie says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:50 pm

    Breaks my heart to read this sending love and hugs to you at this very sad time xx

    Reply
  14. Lesley says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:50 pm

    So sorry Nagi. I know these things happen but I wish I could have stopped this, so that you didn’t have to suffer like this. Thank you for sharing Dozer with us.

    Reply
  15. Denise U says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:50 pm

    I am so sorry. Sitting here at work in the middle of the night, crying. RIP, Dozer. You were the bestest of best friends.

    Reply
  16. Sharon Cain says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:50 pm

    Hi Nagi. Sending my warmest regards and thoughts for you at this very sad time. I had a feline buddy in the name of Rama for 17 1/2 years and yesterday was the fourth anniversary of him passing. I know how it feels to lose an animal who is more like a member of the family. Take care. Sharon

    Reply
  17. Meredith says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:50 pm

    We all love Dozer and he was so so so amazing and wonderful
    Rest in peace Dozer

    Reply
  18. Margaret Vincent says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:49 pm

    My heart breaks for you Nagi. He was a beautiful companion and I know he will never be forgotten by you and all your followers. Much love xx

    Reply
  19. John Shiner says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:49 pm

    So sorry to hear your sad news about Dozer. My sincere condolences, God bless.
    John

    Reply
  20. Wendy Dyhr says

    February 9, 2026 at 6:49 pm

    My heart goes out to you. The deeper the sorrow, the longer you will take to heal. His presence will stay with you forever.

    Reply
Newer Comments
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive 3 FREE ebooks!

Subscribe
Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • By Category
  • Collections
About
  • About Nagi
  • About Dozer
  • RecipeTin Meals
Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
Help
  • Contact
  • Image Use Policy
© RecipeTin Eats 2026
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits
Maintained by Human Made Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to my newsletter

Sign up and receive 3 FREE EBOOKS!