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.
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!
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
I am so sorry for your loss Nagi. I am crying with you and asking God to heal your broken heart. May His peace and comfort wash over you and may you find happiness and comfort in a furry baby again in due time. Take time out to heal. Thank you so much for your big heart and for sharing all your lovely recipes with us. I am so glad I came across Recipe Tin Eats 11 years ago and I always tell people about your website when they comment on how good your recipes taste. I appreciate you so much and I wish Dozer had made it. Praying for you.
I am so very sorry for your loss Nagi, nothing can replace the love of these incredibly special creatures that we hold in our hearts. But time will heel, and eventually when you think of him you will smile instead of cry. Losing a fur baby is always such a tragic loss
Nagi, Dozer will never be forgotten. He is our superstar – everytime we open your cook books or read a recipe from your website, Dozer will always be there. Look after yourself and hopefully you will find peace in the not too distant future.
My heart aches for you.
So many of us have been in your place before and will again.
For those of us that have given our hearts, knowing full well that one day it will be broken, ache with you and send our love to comfort you.
Fly high sweet Dozer 🌈
I feel your pain you loved him so much, sending you comfort and support Nagi x
Dear Nagi I’m so sorry to hear if Dozer’s passing💔
I’ve followed your website since 2015 and enjoyed all of Dozer’s stories and food tastings. It’s so unfair they don’t live as long as us. I have a 13 yr old Goldie called Ruby and I know her time will come sooner rather than later. Just know he was so blessed to have you as his mum and you were also blessed to have him as your baby boy always. Remember the happy memories and the great times you had. Sending furbaby hugs from Ruby & Bear my two Goldie’s🐾💔
My heart, like everyone else’s, breaks for you Nagi. My mum always told us that when our pets died, it meant that a child had recently gone to heaven, and to help them adjust, God says they can pick any pet they want. And so someone picked your Dozer. He is getting all the love and neck scratches he can handle. He will be running and swimming and eating well. And he will be waiting for you to join him one day. I hope that gives you some comfort at this sad time. How blessed you were to experience that kind of relationship. I hope the days ahead bring wonderful memories flooding back. My prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear Nagi. RIP Dozer xxx
All he ever knew was your love! Sending you all the hugs xxx
Dear Nagi please believe that you gave Dozer the best life he could ever have. He was only with you for a small part of your life but you were his whole life and love. I sit here crying for both of you and the memories of all the dogs I have loved and lost throughout my life. When you truly love no amount of time will lessen the hurt but you will come to a time where remembering gives you joy and hope.
I am so sorry for the loss of your gorgeous Dozer 💙
Sending big hugs and lots of love xx
I cry with you
I’m so sad and so sorry for your lost. To be very honest I have trauma about dogs and severe allergy. But seeing your pictures with him, I felt the comfort, he was such a sweet and lovely dog. Nagi, I knew how you feel right now, how hard to adjust without him, your constant companion, how hard that even he’s gone, you will still he’s presence at every corner of your house. Pls be safe always. God bless.
I’m so very sorry for your loss Nagi. Dozer was such a big part of your life and he’ll live in your heart forever. xx
So sorry to hear. Thinking of you and sending lots of love and hugs. 🤗🤗🙏🏻🙏🏻😢😢
Dearest Dozer,
Your adventures and happy smiles have bought so much joy to so many. Thank you for sharing so many special memories with us.
I’m sure your journey through the doorway was a peaceful one, surrounded by love 🌈 and there were more loved ones waiting for you on the other side 💗
Your Mumma is heartbroken right now, but she’ll be okay. There’s so, so many people sending loving thoughts to her.
Little by little, the joy of all those happy memories will start to heal her pain and her heart will start to mend.
And we know, you’ll never be far away, watching over her and whatever she’s making in the kitchen ☺️
Love you Dozer, sleep well 🌸
Take care of yourself Nagi xx
Dear Nagi such a terrible sad loss for you, my heart aches for you. I too have lost my best friend after 16 years together and that was the worst day of my life. They are a member of your family, you can tell them anything and they listen and don’t tell anyone and they are always there for you. I lost my beloved Skippy 7 years ago and I was finally ready to accept another dog 4 years ago. I won’t say it will get easier with time but the pain in your heart does lesson. I planted a rose tree called “Best Friend” and each time roses bloom it puts a smile on my face and I think happy memories of my Skippy.
So sorry to hear of Dozer passing away, dogs are our best friends. He had a wonderful life with you.
Oh Nagi, thank you for sharing Dozer with all of us. His spirit leapt from our screens! X
Beautiful, my eyes full of water.