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 for the loss of your beautiful Dozer. So many of us grew to love him through your posts.
You were such a good mommie to him. Hopefully the memories of your time together will bring you healing comfort.❤️🐾❤️
Nagi–
I am grieving with you. I’m so glad that you got to have the lovely gift of Dozer and the pure love and acceptance you shared with him. Such joy and beauty! So hard and so sad to let it go. I am so so sorry (crying as I type this). I never met the two of you and yet your beautiful attachment to each other touched my heart. I won’t forget either.
So sorry for your loss, they teach us so very much in their short time you summed that up perfectly. Sending love and furry hugs from Jacqui💜Trevor🐾💜 and Wally 🐾💜
Hi Nagi, I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend Dozer. May he RIP.
“To have known such unconditional LOVE is the greatest gift of all” now the brightest star in the night sky is DOZER. So sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Dozer.
I am so sad for you and I’m thinking of you.
Your words summed it all up.
Sending all my love
Nat & my puppies Bessie and Od’ios 💞💞💞💞
Nagi x
So sorry to hear the loss of dear Dozer. Dozer is such a big part of RTE and do you know isn’t it wonderful you got those two cookbooks out before this happened…His memory will forever live on in those pages ♡. And any animal lover-type cook like me who has those cookbooks will agree – we’ll be so glad to have “known him” and hold those precious memories with you!
I always had to have a little peek at the pic of Dozer before I got started on the recipe! Darling dog ♡ I’m going to miss him and I’ve never met him!!
🙏 ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss, I know words can never express the sorrow you are feeling at this time. We are here for you 🙏❣️
Thank you for sharing Dozer with us Nagi. We all loved him and will all miss him in our own ways. Lots of hugs, love and support for you now and always. You’ll always be in our hearts Dozer
I am so so sorry for your loss Nagi. Thank you for sharing Dozer with all of us. He will be missed but never forgotten. What a grand and glorious life the two of you created. Rest well old boy. ❤️
Nagi,
We completely understand your loss. While Dozer could not be there for all of your life, you were there for his. And that matters.
So sorry for your loss of your beautiful fur baby Dozer❤️
I’m so sorry Nagi. Please take time to heal. We will still be here waiting for you when you come back.
I always remember seeing little updates about Dozer at the end of your recipes, but today I see this heartbreaking news. Nagi and to your family, I am so sorry. Rest in Peace Dozer x
I grieve with you. Their lives are always too short.
I’m crying reading this, my heart goes out to you Nagi. Loosing a dog is the hardest thing ever, Thank you Nagi for sharing your precious Dozer w us. Thank you for being you, and for doing what you do. Sending Big love to you at this sad & difficult time❤️🩹
I am looking for a way to eat more healthy foods. I’ve been thinking about eating a meatless meal every week and maybe expanding to more. I came across your blog and liked what you have shared.
I would enjoy trying your recipes in my new eating plan.
I am very sorry about the loss of your dog. May the Lord lessen your pain in the days to come.
Nagi. I’ve been such a loyal fan of your site and recipes and love all those posts of dozer over the years. As a mom of 5 dogs and a cat, my heart breaks to hear this and we …me and my family that have welcomed your food into our lives, send you many many hugs from across the world. X
I am so very sorry Nagi. Losing such a great friend is so hard! Dozer was obviously a special guy. Find comfort in knowing that he was well loved.
I have come across your page while looking for a vanilla cake recipe. I am at in tears with news of the loss of your beautiful boy. You made him happy and he left knowing both but love. Thank you for being such a wonderful person xxx