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Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,779 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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4,779 Comments

  1. Chloe says

    February 21, 2026 at 4:27 pm

    Im soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry nagi he was probs a great dog

    Reply
  2. Helga says

    February 21, 2026 at 4:23 pm

    Nagi, I am so very sorry for the loss of your gorgeous Dozer and your heartbreak as you adjust to living without him. You loved him dearly and that is evident. It’s also evident how very much Dozer loved you and gave the best of himself to you. . Thank you for all you’ve done for him and all you continue to do in bringing us such yummy recipes. I’ll be praying for you during this tough time.

    Reply
  3. Cat says

    February 21, 2026 at 12:50 pm

    Sending you all my love Nagi, Dozer was the best boy and so very lucky to be thoroughly loved.

    Reply
  4. Virginia says

    February 21, 2026 at 12:47 pm

    Hi Nagi
    Just finished eating one of your yummy recipes and thought of Dear Dozer. Then discovered the sad news. Shedding tears . Sincere condolences Nagi. We are all grieving for him.xx
    .

    Reply
  5. Laura G. says

    February 21, 2026 at 10:16 am

    I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. What an amazing fellow-adventurer Dozer was. Your love for him always shines through your posts.

    Reply
  6. Kate Johnston says

    February 21, 2026 at 9:07 am

    Like many others, I know your pain and grief, every pet owner does. The depth of grief mirrors the depth of love, the grief passes but the love always remains.

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth B says

    February 21, 2026 at 8:46 am

    Dear Naji. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Dozer. Nothing loves us so completely as a dog. I daresay the loss we feel for an animal can sometimes hurt even more because their love is so pure. Thank you for sharing all the pictures and happenings of his life and for making him special to us as well. May the fond memories heal your pain in due time.

    Reply
  8. BEV CAR says

    February 21, 2026 at 8:29 am

    Your beautiful memories you had together will always remain in your heart.

    Reply
  9. Francis says

    February 21, 2026 at 7:49 am

    First time commenter. I have been using your recipes since I started college and you’re website quickly became my favorite. what I loved was your personal touch and I looked forward for the Dozer updates. I can’t imagine the loss and hurt you are going through, but, as you’ve seen, you’re love for Dozer shined through to us strangers on the internet.

    Sending you lots of love and hugs and I hope you find comfort and healing.

    Reply
  10. Chris Hickson says

    February 21, 2026 at 6:14 am

    So sorry to hear about Dozer , losing a friend like Dozer is so hard, lots of love to you
    Heidi and Chris

    Reply
  11. Sandra Medina-Cortes says

    February 21, 2026 at 5:56 am

    Hi Nagi – I’m just reading this and I can’t help but cry my eyes profusely. I know first hand what it is to lose one’s fur babies. My heart goes out you and know that you and dozer are in thoughts and heart. If it is of any comfort, just know you gave him the best life you can give him and he was loved by you and everyone until the very end. He will now rest in peace and his soul will transform into a beautiful butterfly and live on forever in your heart and hearts of others he touched like mine. There’s no doubt he knew how much you loved him and he loved you.

    Reply
  12. Lorraine says

    February 21, 2026 at 4:51 am

    😢❤️

    Reply
  13. Tracey J says

    February 21, 2026 at 3:42 am

    Oh Nagi. I’m so very sorry for your loss of Dozer. Over the many years I have truly enjoyed your recipes but loved seeing what Dozer was up to.
    My sincere condolences for your loss. I have no doubt in my mind that Dozer knows how much he was loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this very difficult time.

    Reply
  14. Verity says

    February 21, 2026 at 2:42 am

    Dear Nagi,
    So very sorry for your loss, but you can rest assured that Dozer had a marvellous life with you. Not many dogs can be chief tasters for an excellent cook.

    Reply
  15. Andy says

    February 21, 2026 at 1:15 am

    So sorry to hear the very sad news Nagi

    Reply
  16. Jenn says

    February 20, 2026 at 11:44 pm

    Sending my love. Have been following you and Dozer since forever. My heart aches for you Nagi…
    just know he lived a great filled with so much love.

    I am so sorry for your loss. rest in paradise Dozer <3

    Reply
  17. Tyger White says

    February 20, 2026 at 11:15 pm

    Nagi, my heart goes out to you on your loss of Dozer. As I write this, my best friend, Faith (a Golden Lab) is sleeping beside me. I can’t even imagine the pain of losing her. My tears are flowing over the loss of Dozer. May Dozer RIP and may your memories of happier times carry you through this devastating loss.

    Reply
  18. Tony Osbaldiston says

    February 20, 2026 at 10:36 pm

    Hi Nagi, so sorry to hear about the passing of Dozer. It is heart breaking when they leave us. But you gave him a good life filled with lots of love and food. That is all you can do. The pain will get easier, but at the present my thoughts are with you. Love from Tony in the UK.

    Reply
  19. Graeme says

    February 20, 2026 at 10:18 pm

    Hi Nagi, sending you my heartfelt condolences to you over the loss of your beautiful Dozer.
    My heart breaks for you and my thoughts and prayers are with you. 😢 💔

    Reply
  20. Tania says

    February 20, 2026 at 9:31 pm

    My heart is with you and Dozer .💔

    Reply
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