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’m so sorry that he has gone over the rainbow bridge. Deepest condolences in your time of sadness
Oh Nagi, just cried all the way through your beautiful words for your much loved Dozer. He was certainly a once in a lifetime pet and companion for you. You were both so fortunate to have found each other. Such a special soul. 💖
My heart is breaking for you Nagi, RIP Dozer xx
So sorry for your loss Nagi💔truly heartbroken for you.
RIP Dozer 🦮 run free 💔🌈 will miss your beautiful face in the recipes 💔
We cry with you Nagi – you were the best mum to Dozer and Dozer has touched so many people around the world – you were both blessed to have each other. You are loved and Dozer is loved by everyone who loves Recipe Tin Eats. One day at a time…..one hour at a time. We will never forget your beautiful boy ❤️
We love you, Nagi. Thinking of you in this difficult time.
Dear Nagi
Sending you lots of love and hugs. You were the best mum. Dozer lived his best life with you. He was such a sweet guy. My condolences to you, your mum, and family at RTE. Be gentle on yourself in the coming months. Xo
Oh Nagi, my heart goes out to you at this very sad time.
The hardest thing for a pet parent is the final goodbye. As they get older, rationally, you know that you have borrowed time with them as their life span is less than ours, and yet it doesn’t ease the grief you feel when it happens.
Please take care of yourself as you navigate these new times without Dozer.
The bond, love and loyalty you shared was so evident and as you noted in your lovely tribute, something to be thankful and grateful for to have experienced.
What a privilege it is to experience such exquisite and yet painful love when we welcome these majestic beings to share our lives with us.
Take care xx
Dear Nagi,
I’m so sorry to hear about sweet Dozer’s passing. Nearly fourteen years is such a full, loving lifetime and it’s clear he was treasured in every season of his life. Thank you for sharing his stories with us over the years. It always felt like we were getting to know him through your eyes. It’s been a privilege to witness his journey and the joy he brought into your life and the bond you shared. His presence touched all of us who came to know him through you.
I hope those memories wrap around you gently in the quieter moments ahead. Holding you in warmth as you navigate this loss.
Love,
Mithila
I’m sobbing for you. Pet loss is so hard and the price we pay for love. I lost my cat in November and still cry myself to sleep but I know that I gave maximum love and care and that is what we can do xx
I came to the site to check ingredients for a meal while I was out shopping and saw this post. Now, I’m standing in a supermarket isle trying to hold back tears.
Many of us have been here with our own pets and understand the sorrow and heartbreak.
He’ll live forever on the pages here, not just in your heart and memory.
I hope you take comfort in the many messages that are here and the knowledge that you gave Dozer a wonderful and extraordinary life.
Big hugs Nagi. He truly was a special boy. I’ll be giving my Goldie extra hugs every day. Run free Dozer, you were one very lucky boy.
Dearest Nagi, I’m so sorry for your loss and what might seem to feel like the most insurmountable pain in your heart after losing your dearest family member. Sending you lots of love and strength so that you can once smile again when you think of Dozer xx
Nagi. We all loved Dozer and delighted in all his adventures. Most of us never met him, but still felt we knew him so well. Your love for him, and his for you was so strong. I’ve been a blubbering mess this last week reading your posts. It re-ignites for so many of us a love for our own special, furry friend who has crossed over the rainbow bridge. I’m still a blubbering mess when I look at photos of mine, 7 years after saying my final goodbyes to her – my chocolate lab, Cassie. She will always hold a special place in my heart.
You shared so much of your life with Dozer, things are going to be hard. Take the time you need walking those steps you took together. Hopefully you can open up your heart to another furbaby down the line and bestow on them the same love and adoration you had with Dozer. Sending so much love to you at this heartbreaking time xx
I’m so sorry Nagi, this is never easy losing a beloved friend. My heart to yours. ❤️🩹💗😢
So sorry to hear about Dozer. I am sitting here with tears runnings down my cheeks. There is nothing like the unconditional love and devotion of a fur baby. My heart goes out too you.
Devastated for you in your time of loss. Your love for Dozer was so strong we could all feel it. Kia kaha (stay strong)
Dear Nagi, I have had so many tears for you over the last few few days and reading this hasn’t made it any better. Having lost two G.R.s to heaven, I know how you are feeling right now. The sadness lessens but never really leaves you. My third girl is 10 years old this July. Sending hugs to you Nagi. ❤️
Sorry to hear about your loss of dozer
Take care
I am so sorry to hear that Dozer passed away. I enjoyed hearing about him and his tastings of things you made. He was a beautiful dog and will be missed.