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
Greatest sympathies and love ❤️
Nagi, you have had an amazing cheerleader by your side. So many beautiful memories won’t take away the pain but will always fill your heart with love. All the best Nagi.💞
Im so sorry for your loss Nagi, thoughts and prayers are with you. Your beautiful fur baby will be watching you and waiting for his next chance to play x
If Dozer could respond now it might go something like this:
Now I have gone, release me, let me go
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy we had so many years
I gave you my love: you can only guess
how much you gave me in happiness.
Thank you for the love you have shown
but now it is time I travel alone.
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must
then let your grief be comforted by trust
and let the happy memories remain.
So very sad for you dear Nagi it’s such a terrible wrench when your pet passes. You have delighted our family with your wonderful recipes I am forever grateful. Sending love and healing hugs to you.
Words don’t seem enough. My heart aches for the place you currently find yourself.
For what is worth, I’m so sorry for your loss. May his love for you and yours for him rest is a special part of your heart for ever. ♥️
Hi Nagi, if Dozer could send you a message now, it would be
“ Mum, I love you, please don’t be so sad. I’m ok, I’m looking down on you with the purest love for you. I know I now live on in your heart”. ❤️ Dozer
I’m truly sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what you’re going through 😢 hugs xxx
Dearest Nagi,
It’s the worst pain in the world. It’s so unfair that they don’t live as long as we do. That’s why they love us so hard I think.
Sending you my love and prayers and thinking of you. God Bless you
Irini
Sending you much love Nagi on the loss of your beautiful boy Dozer im so sorry xx
Nagi
So sorry for your loss. Pets take up a huge space in our hearts – so when the leave there is a big hole. Dozer is gone but not forgotten. Although he is out of sight, he is with you morning , noon and night.
Take care
Laurie
NZ xx
So sorry for your lost Nagi sending lots of hugs and love your way 💕💕
So very sad to hear about your beautiful Dozer. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. We will truly miss him. Hope you will take some time to heal. Sending you love and hugs xoxo
😭 keeping you in my thoughts. Saying goodbye to a beloved fur-family member cuts deep; I know this.
Thank you for sharing Dozer with us. As a fellow dog lover, “Life of Dozer” is a favourite part of a recipe. Rest easy Dozer 💜
I knew this day would come. It was inevitable. But I hoped it wouldn’t because I knew first hand how the pain in your heart would numb your senses and the grief you would feel would be overwhelming. Dozer has crossed the rainbow bridge where he is whole and happy. He has friends there and he is playing. He will be there to greet you one day in the far off future. The love link between you two can never be severed. Do not be surprised if you feel him around you. He is only a thought away. In time the pain will ease but you will never stop missing him. You will, however, learn to live a new normal. I will keep you in my healing prayers. ❤️🙏🏻
Oh my heart sinks for you I totally understand how you are feeling! Gutted, lost but thank you for sharing your life with Dozer and all your memories that we all get to remember. The special pics, stories and recipe’s will be cheerished forever. Thank you from the bottom my ❤️
Take care and look forward to hearing from you when your ready.
Thank you Joy
Dear Nagi,
I am so enormously sorry for your loss and the pain you are enduring at the moment.
Grief is so hard, so soul breakingly hurtful and often, so lonely-in that no one other person, no matter how close, can enter another’s heart or mind and see precisely the sharp hurt and grinding pain they are living.
Go gently. Go slow. Watch the waves. Sit with memories -there is no harm in crying, the harm is when the tears turn inward and burn.
It’s ok if you laugh sometimes too-laugh at the funny memories or silly
moments or even something you see on tv, it doesn’t mean you miss or love Dozer any less.
Know too, that he will be with you. Unseen now, but still by your side, still loving you, still checking out your recipes and keeping watch over you every day until you meet again.
We are thinking of you & Dozer and (as I believe it matters) praying for you both.
Take your time-and know that you can take it.
Love from Harry (beagle), Rose & Rowena
I cried for the loss of Dozer. I didn’t know him but I know how amazing dogs are. It looks like he had a very good life and I believe we meet our dogs again in the next life. Because love is love.
So sorry for your loss Nagi. Dozer was lovely to enjoy from afar, and he brought you and us lots of love and joy! All who are loved are never lost to us ❤️
Sending you lots of love and peace. Thank you for sharing Dozer with us. What a treasure. I bet he’s teaching the chef up there how to make his favourite treat. Take care and I hope you feel his love surrounding you 💙
Love to you Nagi ❤️