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Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,785 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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4,785 Comments

  1. karen says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:34 am

    So so sorry for your loss of Dozer He knows he had the best Mama !!

    Reply
  2. Janet Meerman says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:34 am

    ❤️❤️❤️Sending you love and hugs Nagi, I bawled my eyes out when I heard the news. So sorry for your loss xx

    Reply
  3. FrederIck Milne says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:33 am

    Nagi,
    Rest assured that Dozer will be waiting for you on the other side!

    Reply
  4. Carla says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:33 am

    Dear Nagi.
    I am a great follower of you recipes. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I to lost a beautiful Belgium Dog 7 years ago and still today I grieve her and recall all our days together. It is so hard and memory’s of things you both did together will be relieved and remembered every day. Just remember all you beautiful days you both shared together xx

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:31 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope the pain you’re feeling will be eased by the beautiful memories you made with Dozer.💔🐾

    Reply
  6. Anne Krieger says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:31 am

    I am so sorry for your loss and sadness. Dozer was, for you, the best dog ever. I know another best dog ever will come into your life at just the right time. RIP, Dozer. Good boy.

    Reply
  7. Lina says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:31 am

    Oh Nagi, my heart is breaking for you and knowing personally how painful everyday can be, I pray for strength for each moment.

    Reply
  8. Hester says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:30 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. This is such sad news. Rest in peace Dozer xxxx

    Reply
  9. Adrienne says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:30 am

    So very sorry.♥️♥️

    Reply
  10. Lucy Herring says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:29 am

    Nagi. Please know that Dozer passed over the rainbow bridge, is not in pain anymore,is playing with the other pals he sees, and will be waiting for you when your time comes. Unconditional love is the most difficult to lose, but he is still with you and will be in your heart forever. I have been in your shoes. It will get better. Much love and healing, Lucy

    Reply
  11. edward says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:29 am

    I’m very sorry.

    Reply
  12. Kathryn says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:28 am

    So sad. Sending love

    Reply
  13. Ana Maria Bassani says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:28 am

    I was one of many rooting for Dozer to spend one more day at home with you. I am so sorry for your loss, we never ever forget the ones we loved.

    Reply
  14. Lorraine says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:27 am

    Dear Nagi,

    Your heart will always be a little bit broken. That’s the price of loving him so much but he left you his whole heart which will beat with yours always and help you heal. They touch us in so many ways and ask for nothing yet give all. To have had that love with Dozer is a precious and wonderful thing. I wish you healing and comfort

    Reply
  15. ChuckB says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:27 am

    Hi Nagi, please except my condolences on your family’s loss. I’ve been following you and Dozier for quite a while now. To the point where even though we’ve never met I feel that the bond we create with our beloved pets connects us all in some way. I lost two of my best friends in a five month span last year ( Jake and Dexter ) Jake passed first and then Dexter which aside from all he had gone through with his health issues I feel ultimately losing Jake was what broke his heart and will to go on. It’s been said that “ Time heals all wounds “. Although that may be true for physical wounds it certainly doesn’t apply for emotional and psychological wounds. If anything time only softens the pain. There are some that somehow never seem to grow that attached to their pets ( Which I will never understand ). Even after 30 years I can look at a picture of my first dogs or hold their ashes and still start to tear up. I always found it hard to get her the strength to adopt another dog because of the thought of going through the loss again is overwhelming. Yet the silence, the emptiness and warmth they bring to our home is unmatched. By bringing another pet into one’s home is not to replace who we recently lost because they are never replaceable. Instead we do it to fill a need that is missing from our lives and theirs. Life does go on and many believe that if and when you do take in another pet. That pet was sent to you by your previous one to help fill the void and heartbreak.

    Reply
  16. Linda says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:27 am

    So sorry. Dozer was definitely your heart dog. My heart dog died 4 years ago and it still hurts. Try to concentrate on Dozer is healed now and running. He will be waiting for you at The Bridge and what a reunion that will be. RIP Dozer.

    Reply
  17. Pam says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:27 am

    Dear Nagi, my heart dropped in I my chest as I read the title. The words you expressed to your loving Dozer. are like poetry. No one could’ve ever said it better than you. I grieve Dozer‘s loss and wish you peace and strength during the time it takes to heal. I was very blessed to share in his life through your writings and beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing Dozer with us. Like my own dogs, both past and present, I will never forget him or you. Be at peace, Dozer. Wishing you more peace and healing.
    With love, Pam from the Bay Area of California, USA.

    Reply
  18. T says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:26 am

    As a pet mom of multiple pets, I’ve been here many times and I understand the pain. He was so loved by you and had a wonderful beautiful life with you. Please take time to grieve and heal. He will always be with you. We just can’t see them anymore once they transition but they are always here with us. Many hugs to you

    Reply
  19. Angélique Vallat says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:26 am

    Dear Nagi,
    Let me carry a little bit of your sadness as you learn to live without Dozer by your side. The love he gave you made you who you are. He was lucky to have you to love him so. Be certain that you made his life worth living, and cherish the memories.

    Angélique, Wyoming USA

    Reply
  20. Alexandra says

    February 10, 2026 at 1:24 am

    Dear Nagi. I am so, so sorry for your loss, your heartache, your grief. My heart goes out to you.
    Beautiful Dozer will always be remembered with love by us all. Love to you. x

    Reply
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