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 to hear of the passing of Dozer, but take heart in the wonderful memories he has given you.
That was beautiful, my thoughts are with you.
Please keep up with your beautiful work.
From Phillip Island Australia XXX
I am really sorry that Dozer has gone, You both were so much fun to read about. Take care.
Thoughts are with you Nagi. He will be in your heart forever.
My tears fell when I read your post. It’s Heart wrenching as I too have lost pets over the years, I will miss not seeing Dozer with you but he had a good life & will be missed, so many fond memories. Thinking of you at this very sad time. Xx
💔
i wish you strength and love cause he is with you forever x
Sending all the love in the world to you right now, such a hard post to read and an even harder one to write. You were the perfect pairing and enhanced each others lives. I believe this isn’t goodbye it’s just a pause until you reunite again. I believe this because the thought of goodbye when you loose someone you love is too much to bear. Thinking of you ❤️
Dearest Nagi. I thank you for your humanness and legitimising how we feel after losing a pet. I cry at the loss of Dozer, a dog I never knew but I knew him through you. As I cry my own dog Archie licks my tears and comforts me. I can’t imagine a my life without him. BUT what you have shown us is the need to understand and realise a pet is not just a pet. They are our family and we are their world. When we lose them we lose a family member. RIP Dozer – you have left a huge legacy and so has your mama in showing her love for you. You will not be forgotten.
Nagi, my heart goes out to you, I can appreciate the way you are feeling at the moment having been there myself. You feel you will never recover but you will and you will have fantastic memories of life with Dozer to look back on. Plus the knowledge that you both did everything that you could in your time together.💕🐾
So very sorry ,I know the pain is unbearable , you were his person and he was yours ,you gave each other a wonderful life .
Sending love across the miles
Dearest Nagi I made a typing error. Instead of typing Dearest Dozer, I typed Nagi. Pls can u delete that post amd I will rewrite it again. Thx dear n v sorry for the error. Th
My heart breaks when I saw your email.. I knew the time had come for Dozer to run free and play with the angels. I cried while reading your message.
Like you, a dog lover myself, Letting go is the hardest thing to go through and it doesn’t get easier, it is also the kindest thing one can do, no one wants their loved ones to suffer.
Our first lot of dogs, both dogs left us in a span of five weeks of each other and I cried for days, sometimes howling when no one was around. I didn’t leave the house for days. They are such a part of our lives. It is never goodbye but see you later. However, we need to heal and we have so much love to give.
We didn’t hesitate to put our names with our breeders (both different breeds). It is not about forgetting but allowing us to heal and giving love to another love. They are all different with their own character. I know I won’t forget Dozer and like everyone who has had Dozer in our lives, we will certainly miss her.
Stay strong… can I give you a big air hug. Rip Dozer… I will certainly miss you.
I know the pain you are feeling ❤️🩹 Dozer had such a great life and so lucky to have experienced so much love. Please take care of yourself we love you You are such a special person
I was waiting to see the doctor when the news of Dozer’s death came on the TV screen. I was not the only person in the waiting room who was crying. What remarkable reach this little man had. So much love to you, Nagi. “Life has to end. Love doesn’t” – Mitch Albom.
Thanks for sharing Nagi and we will all miss Dozer
He had a wonderful life with you more than you know. I know he will be with you always.
He was a beautiful boy, Nagi. One day you will meet again.
Nagi, so sorry for your loss, it’s heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing Dozer with all of us. May he RIP. Sending much love to you, what a beautiful boy he was and so lucky to have had you as his mom. He had an amazing life with you ❤🌼
I am so sorry, Nagi. He adored you and you adored him.
You will always have your wonderful memories of your Dozer.
Sending much love.
Tears are rolling down my face as I read your message. I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of dear Dozer. Take comfort in the beautiful love you shared and the wonderful life you gave him. That kind of bond never fades — it stays with you, quietly and faithfully, just as he did. 🐾