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Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,790 Comments
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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

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4,790 Comments

  1. Angelique Price says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    RIP dozer, what a joyous and wonderful life you had. You chose a beautiful person to protect you for your journey.

    Reply
  2. Nadia Sutherland says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    Your heart will mend in time even though it doesn’t feel like it right now. Thank you for sharing so much of your lives with us!

    Reply
  3. Julie says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    Oh Nagi, I am so sorry you lost your greatest Love, Hang on to the memories, they will last forever. xxoo

    Reply
  4. Caroline says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    So sorry for your loss, its heartbreaking losing our beloved pets, they are part of our family & always in our hearts & memories. They bring us such joy but so much pain when they go. Cherish all your wonderful memories. I’ve loved reading your posts about Dozer since finding your website a few years ago & will miss them & seeing the beautiful photos of you both. Sending lots of love at this sad & devastating time xx

    Reply
  5. Carolyn Whitton says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    Sorry for your loss Nagi.
    R.I.P Dozer.

    Reply
  6. ANNETTE ODONOGHUE says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    I’m so heart broken for you Nagi, losing a fur baby is a heart break incomparable with any other loss in life, I’ve felt the pain you’re going through, & am sending you big love & healing hugs, you’ll always remember Dozer & his spirit will always be with you 💯💖🙏 but for now, cry your heart out! Because it’s all part of healing 💯💖🙏👌

    Reply
  7. Christina says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    Oh Nagi I’m so sorry 😢 He loved you so much too. I had to euthanise my dog 2 weeks ago unexpectedly and the pain is hard and I miss her so much. I don’t know what else to say. It’s so hard. We are here for you. Lots of love to you xx

    Reply
  8. Adeline says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    Holding you in our hearts, Nagi. Sending love to you and Dozer.

    Reply
  9. Judy Bryan says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:01 pm

    Dear Nagi I am so sorry for your sad loss. Losing family member is not easy especially when they have been your everything. Take care with love xx R.I.P. Dozer

    Reply
  10. Glenda Osborne says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    Oh Nagi,
    Im so so sorry about your beloved Dozer. I feel your pain so much, as we lost our beautiful Dog called Dude nearly 2 years ago.
    Broke my heart big time, then my beautiful husband died the same year. 😏
    Its so hard , but I love hearing from you.

    Rest in peace Dozer. Love you. 💕💙🩵💕xxxx

    Reply
  11. Debbie Cozens says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    hugs hugs hugs to all of you who loved him so much ,,so so sad ,he is with you always xo

    Reply
  12. Jacquie says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    You were Dozers greatest gift ever. How lucky was he to land in your world.
    Thank you for sharing your journeys with us. We will all miss him and are sending the biggest hugs to you and your family. Kia Kaha from NZ 💞

    Reply
  13. Gerharda carew says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about your beautiful Dozer. He will come running to you at the pearly gates. I hope that you will in time, be ok. Rest assured he will be there waiting.

    Reply
  14. Elaine King says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    Oh, Nagi, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy, Dozer. May your memories bring you comfort and peace❤️ You gave him a wonderful life.

    Reply
  15. Lynda Jacob says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dozer. He had a beautiful life with you Nagi and he was one lucky dog.
    It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. My thoughts are with you xx

    Reply
  16. Linda Kotthoff says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    I’m so sorry. There is no love like that of our beautiful furbabies and it’s incredible how hard they try to stay here for us. You and Dozer were so blessed to have found each other and I believe that you will be together again someday.

    Reply
  17. John says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    That is the most beautiful tribute. I think you both scored wonderfully from your years together. A perfect match. So sad for you Nagi

    Reply
  18. Rachel says

    February 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm

    All my love and good vibes to you. Losing a furry friend is like losing a part of you. It’s never easy but I hope that, in time, the memories will give you more tears of joy than sadness. Dozer will remain in all of our hearts. Thank you for sharing his life with all of us, too. Take it easy. One moment at a time. 🩷

    Reply
  19. Chris says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:59 pm

    I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing your heartbreak, hopefully we are able to lighten it a bit for you. What an amazing and wonderful partner he was. May his puppy soul rest in peace.

    Reply
  20. Barbara says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:59 pm

    My condolences.
    Run free Dozer.

    Reply
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