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Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,790 Comments
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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

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4,790 Comments

  1. Sue VP says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    It’s never easy saying goodbye to a furbaby, what a lucky boy he was to have you as his mum

    Reply
  2. JOANNE says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    so sorry for your loss..now, you have 1 more angel to watch over you all the time.

    Reply
  3. Ron Philippkowski says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    So sorry to hear about Dozer and the sadness you must now be experiencing. Please accept our condolences and best wishes for the future.

    Reply
  4. Jane Terren says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    I’m so sorry Nagy. Dozer has been a part of all of our lives and we will all miss him. But my heartfelt condolences to you. The only problems with pets is that they die before us. Love xxx

    Reply
  5. Julie RULLA says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    ❤️

    Reply
  6. Kathy Huett says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    My heart breaks for you. So hard to Loose a loved one.❤️❤️ RIP Dozer 💖

    Death leaves a heartache no one can heal 😢 but love leaves a memory no one can steal ❤️🌺

    Reply
    • Pam says

      February 9, 2026 at 5:40 pm

      I’m so sorry for your loss, Dozer was such a great companion and comfort for you, but alas, he was in your life for an short time, and fulfilled his duty at being wonderful comfort for you.

      We all enjoyed the posts about your beloved Dozer and we love your compassionate heart. ❤️

      Reply
  7. margaret says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    I understand what you are going through – time is a great healer – hopefully one day you will meet again

    Reply
  8. Vanessa Redhead says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:24 pm

    I’m soo sorry for this huge loss Nagi. So many wonderful memories made together. Treasure those, in the dark hours when you feel inconsolable. Thinking of you.

    Reply
  9. christine McRobie says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:23 pm

    dear Nagi, when it’s finally your time to enter Heaven, your Dozer will be right there, at the door. Best love. Chris

    Reply
  10. Fiona Ludeke says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:23 pm

    Dozer had the best life with you Nagi, goodbye best boy Dozer.

    Reply
  11. Simon says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:23 pm

    I too am so sad about your loss. My thoughts are with you.
    Our best friends leave such a gaping hole in our hearts.

    Reply
  12. Lynn says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:23 pm

    My heart goes out to you Nagi 💔
    We have lost 4 dogs over the years & it doesn’t get any easier I can find myself crying over a memory years later it is such a privilege to be loved unconditionally by our fur babies & we are lucky to have a further 2 with us now

    Reply
  13. Tracie says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:23 pm

    With tears streaming down my face I remember Dozer fondly. I looked forward to reading about his latest escapades, food tastings and fun filled days. I was fortunate to have met Dozer at your last book signing and Miranda Westfield. Such a beautiful boy. He will be missed but is at peace. God Bless you Dozer ❤️

    Reply
  14. Nafisa Chetty says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:23 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss 💔when I saw “In memory of Dozer” pop up on my screen, I wanted to cry, I read your post and then I cried 😔My heart goes out to you 😢

    Reply
  15. annie says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:22 pm

    Sob away for as hard and as long as you need…..Virtual hugs

    Reply
  16. KeashaC says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:22 pm

    Dearest deareset Nagi-

    ‘Somewhere over the rainbow….
    Way up high..
    There’s a land that I heard of
    Once in a lullaby’

    Reply
  17. Debbie says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:22 pm

    Sending you lots of hugs and love in your incredibly difficult time 💜

    Reply
  18. Shaun McCarthy says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:22 pm

    Dear Nagi.
    I’m so very sorry for your loss but as you will be well aware that your grief is being felt all around the world.
    R.I.P DOZER.

    Reply
  19. Jan Salthouse says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:22 pm

    Thank you for letting us share the wonderful life of Dozer. I shall never forget him.
    Time for him to rest now xx

    Reply
  20. Janine Natalie Hein says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:22 pm

    Love you Nagi. Love you Dozer. May we all meet again at The Rainbow Bridge. You both are/were a karmic force of GOODNESS. *NamYaHoRegeKyo”. Peace.

    Reply
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