• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

  • My RecipeTin
  • My cookbooks!
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Iconic + cult classics
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish recipes
      • Salad Meals
    • Quick and Easy
    • Soups
    • One Pot – One Pan
    • Stewy slow-cooked things
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Salads & veg
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice (all)
      • Fried rice recipes
      • Rice (plain)
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
      • Ice cream
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • RecipeTin Japan 🇯🇵
        • Korean
        • Modern Asian
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • 🎄Christmas
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
    • Recipe collections
    • Cookbook recipes
  • My Food Bank
  • About
    • Me
    • RecipeTin Meals
    • My Cookbooks
      • Tonight (NEW!)
      • Dinner
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,785 Comments
Share
  • Copy Link
  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
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

Previous Post
The Final Chapter: Life of Dozer
Next Post
🌈 Rainbow Chicken Stir Fry 🌈

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




4,785 Comments

  1. Francine Peyrat says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:17 pm

    Yesterday, when I read the post announcing Dozer’s passing, I was moved and tears came to my eyes. Dozer was your baby, and you were the best mother to him. In his eyes, we could see his love for you, and we could see yours and how proud you were of him. My thoughts are with you! Dozer will also remain special to us, a beautiful, loving dog that we will never forget.

    Reply
  2. Dawn says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:17 pm

    Having gone thru the pain you’re feeling right now Naji, our wonderful vet Julia sent me a card that was signed off ‘grief is the price we pay for love’ and how we loved our Pip as you do your forever Dozer – wishing you warm hugs and love – Dawn 🐶

    Reply
  3. Linda says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:16 pm

    It’s so hard having to say goodbye I know, Dozer had a wonderful life with you. Thankyou so much for all the pictures and menu’s. God Bless regards Linda

    Reply
  4. Jennifer NASH says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:15 pm

    Nagi to read your letter breaks my heart. We will all miss hearing about the wonderful Dozer. He is now out of pain and you are left to cope with living without him, and the heartbreak and tears. Thinking of both you and Dozer. I had the same situation not long ago so I know how it is. Much love,

    Reply
  5. Lynda says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:15 pm

    Hi Nagi so sorry for you’re loss. Dozer a special boy and so love by you and so many other round the world. Run Fee sweet Dozer.

    Reply
  6. Richard White says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:14 pm

    How lovely it is that you had each other. X

    Reply
  7. Ann-Marie Spouge says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:14 pm

    Such a precious time you’ve had together, as with any great love…it is real, it hurts and there is a great big hole when it’s gone. But, as much as we don’t want to, breathe we do, and we wake each day with the hole still there… unfortunately, at some point, we have to accept “that’s life”, and eventually, we move on. The hole is still there, but we step forward anyway…

    Reply
  8. Nancy C says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:14 pm

    My heart goes out to you and Dozer. Having just lost my cat Ariel, 16 years on Feb 7, I know what you are going through. May you take solace knowing that Dozer knows he’s
    so loved. 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏

    Reply
  9. Teryl D Valazza says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:13 pm

    Over the rainbow bridge,
    Hugs and prayers from one dog mom to another.
    Wrapping you in love where words fall short.

    Reply
  10. Peter Waite says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:12 pm

    Dearest Nagi, thank you for sharing Dozer and your adventures with us. He was a rascal but I’m sure he learnt that from you.
    Stay strong, much love,
    Pete xxx

    Reply
  11. Trish says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:12 pm

    I’m so sorry, Nagi… we’re all sending you our love and thinking of you.

    Reply
  12. Marie says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:11 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Time is definitely a healer. I lost my baby girl 2 years ago. She was 13. She meant the world and it was so hard to say goodbye. It was time. I can look at her photo and hold my beautiful locket that holds some of her and smile. Remembering her always. As will you. One day at a time. Lots of love. Xx

    Reply
  13. Phil says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:11 pm

    ♥️

    Reply
  14. Candace McKenna says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:11 pm

    Thank you sharing Dozer with us all of these years. True love.

    Reply
  15. Bojana says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:10 pm

    Sending you love and hugs. Such preciousness xoxoxo

    Reply
  16. kathleen q york says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:10 pm

    Dear Nagi,may God comfort you as you mourn Dozer. I always see creatures great and small sitting by a brook in a beautiful field with St Francis waiting for their beloved humans to also cross the raibow bridge.
    Peace and all good to you always,
    Kathleen

    Reply
  17. Des says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:10 pm

    Sending lots of love and hugs.

    Reply
  18. Margaret says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:10 pm

    They leave us physically, but never leave our hearts-in spirit, they are always there. What a beautiful life you gave him Nagi – full of love, fun and food. Look after yourself amidst those tears,won’t you

    Reply
  19. Liz says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:09 pm

    🥰

    Reply
  20. Jeanann Simons says

    February 9, 2026 at 11:09 pm

    My deepest condolences on the loss of Dozer. I know it’s extremely hard losing a dog. He is a member of the family. Your child. All the best.

    Reply
Newer Comments
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive 3 FREE ebooks!

Subscribe
Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • By Category
  • Collections
About
  • About Nagi
  • About Dozer
  • RecipeTin Meals
Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
Help
  • Contact
  • Image Use Policy
© RecipeTin Eats 2026
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits
Maintained by Human Made Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to my newsletter

Sign up and receive 3 FREE EBOOKS!