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 to read about Dozer
It is so hard, our pets take a piece of us when they leave.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can
run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm
and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and
vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they
each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His
eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying
over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally
meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your
pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
My heart is breaking for you, and the tears are streaming down my face – our furry families are those who love us unconditionally and we in turn love them completely. Let yourself grieve and then in time you will smile at the memories you and Dozer made together.
Sending you a massive vibrational hug and healing light Nagi 🤍
Dearest Nagi,
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your precious Dozer. He has been such a bright light in your recipes, your books and your stories, and he truly felt like part of our family homes too, through the joy of your creative and delicious recipes you shared.
You were meant to be his Mum, and he was meant to walk beside you on your incredible journey, what a beautiful, lucky life you gave each other. His pawprints are everywhere: in your success, in your photos, and in the hearts of so many of us who came for the recipes and stayed for Dozer.
I like to think he is over the Rainbow Bridge now, free from pain, playing with my beloved Daisy and making new friends. In quiet moments and in your dreams, I hope he’ll still visit you, nudging you with that big golden heart of his.
The bond you shared can’t be undone by time or distance; it will always be there until you’re together again in some other gentle place. Thinking of you and holding you and Dozer close in my heart xx
So sorry for your loss Nagi. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. It was always nice hearing about Dozer and those beautiful memories will always remain for you. I was hoping some miracle could occur to keep him longer with you. RIP Dozer.
Dear Nagi, heartfelt condolences to you. Dozer’s spirit will forever be close by you, waiting for a morsel to to drop on the floor. These first days are the hardest. You and Dozer are in our thoughts. ❤️
I truly know how you feel having lost my Frankie under similar circumstances. I held Frankie from his beginning and wrapped my arms around him at the end.
What a beautiful message to Dozer. They really are the loyalist, most loving creatures. Your boy knew he was equally loved in the loyalist, most unconditional way.
I am so sorry-as a fellow further baby Mum I know the pain. Many hugs from just one of many who loved hearing about and seeing Dozer and his antics.
My Condolences Nagi, RIP Dozer ♥️
Oh no. I’m so sorry to hear this, Nagi. 😔 This was one post I was NOT looking forward to receiving in my inbox. In the coming days, weeks, months or even longer, I know you will find the strength to keep going. Dig deep. Rely on the help of your awesome team/family.
We will all miss seeing the Life of Dozer bits on your blog. They were one of my favourit parts. And if I’m honest, sometimes I skipped the entire recipe blog to get to the end to see what shenanigans Dozer had been up to.
He will be missed. He was a much loved dog all over the world.
Kia kaha e hoa ❤️
Nagi, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful boy with us. I think it fair to say he was the most loved dog in Australia. Mourn and heal at your own pace but know you have so many of us sending you strength and hugs in support. Loss of a loved one – two legged or four is unfathomable but we are so lucky to have the memories… I’ll go and wipe my tears now 🐾💕
RIP Dozer see you on the flip side. Be kind to yourself Nagi the sun will shine again.
Dozer will always live on in your heart Nagi. His loving and loyal pawprints are indelibly printed there for all time.
There is nothing quite like Dog Love. It is unconditional, complete and so very sincere. I wish you all the very best at this time and pray for strength for you. You will see Dozer again one day. I firmly believe that.
Please know that you gave him a life filled with love and happiness. He spent every single day knowing he was the luckiest dog in the world because he had you. 🙏
This too will pass, and you are spot on when you said that you know you will be able to look at his photos without sobbing someday. You were a great forever Mom to Dozer. I think that dogs are here to teach us about losing loved ones; I have had a dog around since I was a child, and that was a long time ago, and I have an Aussie now… it’s a shame they only live a short while; when they are born and come to live in a loving home, it’s the best place for them to be, doing what they do best and loving us unconditionally.
Thanks for sharing with us, and bless you.
Hi Nagi,
We’ve never met & I’ve never commented here before. In addition to all your good work with RecipeTinEats, I so appreciate your sharing about Dozer.
It’s clear he was one of your beloved family members; I’m glad you could be with him through to his end on Earth. Dang dogs… they simply never live long enough 💔😔
My sincere condolences to you from Oregon, USA.
Wish you all the best. Very sad
I’m sorry you lost your best friend in whole world. Know that you both brought joy into so many people’s and maybe even dog’s lives!
I am so sorry you have lost your beautiful Dozer. I will be keeping both you in my heart as you navigate this loss..
💕