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
Dear Nagi,
I am so deeply sorry about the loss of Dozer.
He meant so much to so many people, and brought so much joy to our lives, but yours first and foremost – so take time to heal. Grief is an ocean, but the more you hurt, the more you realise you cared. You were his everything, the face he looked forward to waking up to, the cook he’d always pester. I’m actually pretty sure he would hold the world record for total number of different dishes consumed by one dog.
And I know you feel that the 14 days of love and care didn’t work out, but it meant the ultimate stability for him before he passed on. You gave him all your love at all hours of the day that at the end of those two weeks he had enough love to comfortably say goodbye.
The RecipeTin community hurts for you, and we’re sending you all our support.
So, so sorry Nagi To have such a big presence in your life no longer there I know is devastating.. You gave him so much love and made him happy for so any years he will be waiting for you….. ❤
Sending you much love and big hugs, Nagi.
May your Darling Dozer rest in peace 🐶🌹🌈💙
My heart goes out to you Nagi. Sending hugs.
So sorry to hear about Dozer. My deepest condolences. Your heart is full of his love for you. Tears will wash your soul as you learn to live a new life with Dozer in spirit beside you.. I have lost 2 GRs, they are truly the most amazing best friends you could ever have. I feel your loss and send heartfelt thoughts to you..
Oh I’m so sorry Nagi💔It is such pain to lose your beloved old mate. He was such a cool dog, so famous & all of your fans & readers will miss him too & wish you deepest condolences. Much love sent your way, stay strong Nagi.xx
The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling
1865 – 1936
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But… you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
There is nothing worse than losing a member of your family all you can do is remember the good times and the love and smiles they brought you RIP Dozer my heart goes out to you Nagi
Such very sad news Nagi. My heartfelt sympathy to you as you endure the painful loss of your dearly loved Dozer xx
RIP Dozer💐🕯🌈🦴❤️
Take care Nagi 🤗
I have been a follower for years and I love your work. Very very sad that you lost Dozer.
Much, much love dear Nagi xx We love you always, beautiful Dozer 💙
Sorry to hear about Dozer’s passing. Nagi, you will have Dozer with you all the time as he is in your heart & mind forever because of the love that was shared between you. Dozer will be at your side walking & sitting even though you can’t see him. You will smile again & remember Dozer with the good times you had together.
Love for now JC XX
I’m so sorry for your loss Nagi.
I’ve enjoyed seeing Dozer on your posts since I started following you. He was such a a cheeky, intelligent and beautiful boy.
Saying goodbye to a furbaby is so difficult.
Sending lots of love your way. 💗
No words…… just hugs xx
I am so sorry, my heart breaks for you Nagi and I am crying for you both. We also know the heartache of losing our beloved pet(s). I hope you find some comfort in knowing that you gave Dozer a truly wonderful life. Take some time to look after yourself and maybe, when you’re up to it, you can make one of Dozers favourite recipes to celebrate his beautiful life.
Hugging you and Dozer Nagi
I’m so sorry. I might not have loved him as much as you, but I thought he was so cute
My dog Clancy died in April 2025 and i still miss him.
I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. I went through almost exactly the same thing with my own dog — a similar age, illness, hospital stays, and so much hope.
When he passed, someone once said to me: he’s already in another dog’s body — he’ll find you again. He simply needed a new, healthy body. And he did return, with even more life and joy than before.
I truly believe Dozer will find you too, in a new body, when the time is right. Until then, please take care of yourself and be gentle with your heart.
G’day Nagi. Devastated to hear about Dozer. My heart goes out to you. We have a goldy named Henry. He’s about fifteen and a half. Unfortunately he’s on that final leg of the chase. The thought of losing one of your best m8ts in unthinkable. The memories will live when they don’t. Feeling with you Regards.