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
So sorry for your loss. Know your pain. Lost our Pip at near 17 years of age. I trust your photos and memories will bring you joy as ours as done.
Oh Nagi, so much love in these words to your beautiful Dozer. The goodest boy. What joy you have had with him, and up to his last moments, you were there for him. He would have felt so safe and loved. I don’t know if you like poetry. Mary Oliver has a collection called Dog Songs that gently celebrates the joy and sorrow of loving and saying goodbye to our dogs in words I could never find.
There’s no words that can ease the sorrow, but when our beloved Bruce passed, a good friend said this, that helped: don’t cry because its over, smile, because it happened.
Dozer was beyond special – thank you for sharing him with all of us ❤️
no use saying “I know what you are going thru” but I have. It is never easy to say goodbye to a soul mate. Time heals, memories are always there, sounds you hear in your house remind you of your soul mate. They will never forget the love you gave, the joy you gave them. That is all I can say
Offering you all my love & heartfelt understanding dear Nagi.
I have walked the path you’re currently walking and your pain, loss & despair is utterly devastating and crushing. I send you my love & my support.
Rest easy precious, beautiful, charming, loving, loyal & irreplaceable Dozer. We love you and we miss you.
🐾♥️💔♥️🐾
I am so sorry Nagi. I was crying reading your post. I know how hard it is to lose a loved pet. He is watching over you as he plays in doggie heaven 🥰
So sorry & sad Nagi, he will always be with you 🧡 R.I.P Dozer,
So sorry Nagi, big hugs to you. RIP Dozer xx
Hi Nagi, my family and I are very sorry about your loss. You are in our prayers. Keep strong Beautiful Nagi!!!
What beautiful words you wrote for your boy.
Thank you Nagi for sharing Dozer’s life with us.
He will be missed by all.
Nagi, Your pain is overwhelming right now, but it will soften with time, don’t ask me how I know. Dozer will never be forgotten, by many people you generously shared him with. Love and hugs. Kx
Nagi, you may not see Dozer there beside you when you start the next part of your life’s journey but a spirit as strong as what the two of you shared will never be broken & you WILL see signs that your little man is still there beside you wherever you may travel, whatever you may undertake….RI splendid Peace until you both meet up again sweet Dozer….Nagi, your memories will never fade…..
I’m so sorry Nagi ,I know what it’s like to lose a beloved pet,Dozer will be forever missed and with you forever ❤️
Love and hugs to you Nagi. There’re words from Victor Hugo that I keep in mind when such a thing happen.
“You’re no longer where you were, but you’ll always be where I am” ♥
I am so sorry for your loss, it is so hard to loose someone who is a big part of your life. Just take comfort in knowing that you have given him the most amazing life, he was so loved by you and by all his fans 🩷
Nagi I’m giving you my heartfelt thoughts & hugs. I can only just imagine how you are. I still will
Sob at pictures of the two beautiful now service dogs I raised They were only with ‘me 12 month. & a bit. So I can only imagine how you are when looking back
It pictures of your 14 years. So 14 years of life with Dozer you can sob cry and bawl as is needed. I , we, the world feels your grief as we too mourn a special dog that had an extraordinary beautiful life with you & became an icon of RecipeTin. Love you heaps know we are feeling the passing of Dozer but we shall all have a memory of him in his goofiness, his swims, his taste testing & of his life well lived & loved. We willmiss his inclusions in your newsletters & posts but we will not forget him. Take care look after you know I’m thinking of you during this time & only wish to envelope you in one big heartfelt hug. Xxxx
So very sorry to hear about your beautiful boy, Dozzer!
You were both SO lucky to have spent your lives together .He know how much you loved him! We all did! Sorry i’m crying too! Remember he had the best life & the Best Mummy!
Thinking of you & knowing your heart is broken.xxx
Nagi, all I can say is I know how you feel. It was 2 years this week since I said a heart breaking goodbye to my little boy but I know he is watching over me as Dozer is you. Sending you lots of love. Maree xxx 💕💖🌹😘
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss, Nagi. Sending you lots of love x
Nagi my heart is breaking 💔 😢 as I read about the passing of your beloved boy. We all loved reading about Dozer’s adventures & journey over the years. His important role as Chief Taste Tester brought a smile to all who read your recipes.
Thank you for sharing your boy with all of us – through your posts Dozer became ‘our dog’ too. There will be a time where you think of him with a smile on your face before there are tears in your eyes.
Thank you for showing us we have permission to grieve the death of our dear pets.
Love ❤️ 🌹🌈