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 am crying. I am so sorry for your loss, Nagi. My usual routine is to look up a recipe, click the “Dozer button”, go back to the recipe, then make the recipe. (Sometimes I look up extra recipes just to click the “Dozer button”). My heart goes out to you. Please take care of yourself. Dozer knows he was truly, truly loved.
The most difficult loss is the one that leaves silence where love used to live.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
They certainly leave a dog-shaped hole in one’s heart when they cross the rainbow bridge. I hope you find solace knowing that he was so loved and you gave him a wonderful life. Many hugs going your way, Nagi.
Dear Nagi, just this morning my co-workers and I were talking about these moments in our lives too (caring for our pets in their final moments). And just this weekend I tried some more of your recipes (queso and pico de gallo). Thank you for courageously sharing the kindness of your heart with so many. The healing might be slow, but the happy memories will soon outshine the pain.
Proverbs 12:10 – “The righteous one takes care of …domestic animals”
My heart goes out to you for your loss. Dozer was so loved by you and your followers. Thank you for sharing. Sending love and prayers!
So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful letter. It shows he had such a good life.
Nagi, I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken to hear of the loss of your darling boy. Dozer was so deeply loved, and that love was so evident in the way you spoke about him and cared for him.
I truly understand the unconditional, precious love a golden brings into our lives. It is such a pure, loyal, once-in-a-lifetime kind of bond one we are so privileged to experience, even though it makes the goodbye so unbearably painful.
Thinking of you and holding you close in my heart during this incredibly difficult time. . May beautiful memories of your sweet Dozer bring you comfort in these difficult days ahead. 🐾🤍
Do sorry to hear of your loss. It was wonderful to hear that you were allowed to spend so much time with your boy in the surgery over Dozers’s last two weeks. I am sure Dozer would have treasured those precious moments.
Dear Nagi,
I can barely write this as tears are streaming down my face. What an absolute beauty Dozer was, you gave him the most incredible life and he will always be by your side. You have so many beautiful memories of your beautiful Dozer, that in time will help ease your pain.
Oh Nagi, I am so sad for your loss of your beloved Dozer. Such love will never be forgotten.
Oh Nagi my heart breaks for you. Terribly sorry for your loss. Dozer was and will always be a part of you. Sending you big hugs from London xxx
Rest in peace beautiful Dozer. Thank you for all the laughs, giggles and smiles you brought my daughters and I, every time we looked at your photos. And thank you Nagi for sharing him with all of us, all over the world. Sending you lots of love and many cuddles.
I don’t tend to comment but you and Dozer have truly touched my life. I’ve enjoyed making your recipes for my loved ones and flipping through adorable photos of Dozer. I’m so sorry for your loss. He will live on in all of our memories.
Biggest hugs to you Nagi 💕 Dozer brought joy to so many people, and his legacy will continue to live through RecipeTin and in the hearts of your supporters. Please take care of yourself in this difficult time ❤️
Dear Nagi,
Like so many in your RecipeTin Eats community, my heart aches for you. I will miss dear Dozer too. He has been such a joyful presence alongside your incredible culinary journey, and he never failed to make me smile.
The love and bond you shared with him was unmistakable — such a gift to witness.
With sincere sympathy and gratitude for sharing him with us.
Joining your tears today, they take a piece of your heart with them, it is so very sad to see them cross the rainbow bridge. Sending love your way.
So sorry for your loss my heart goes out to you i know how you feel xx
Oh Nagi, I am so so very sorry ! I came here tonight to see what I could make for dinner and after scrolling for just a moment I saw the words “in memory”. I immediately started crying. Not tearing up…full up crying. I would say I feel your pain, I lost 3 of my fur babies in 2020, I know how badly it hurts, and that is because we love so much. I also know that everyone’s pain is different, so I can’t really say I feel your pain.
You shared yours and Dozers life together and your unconditional love for each other with the rest of the world. You may not have realized what a gift it was to all of us but you both brought joy by doing so just by sharing your life together.
Please know that now we all are here for you. Sending you love and hugs, and hopes for healing. Rest in peace Dozer, I will remember you, sweet boy.
We are so sorry for your loss. You were such a beautiful friend for dozer what a life he had. Take care Nagi – know that there’s much love for you in the world. Xx
Oh Nagi, Dozer will be right beside you always,❤️ He knew he was very loved by you and everyone all over the world who read your books and goes on your recipetineats page, and everybody who met him. Thankyou for sharing your pictures and memories of Dozer,❤️ beautiful Dozer❤️❤️❤️❤️ in your books, I know every time I am looking for a meal to cook I will see his beautiful face and cry some more tears for your loss. It cuts deep, you never get over the loss you just learn to cope with it ,the tears will always come. But the laughter will return. Hold tight to your memories of Dozer dear Nagi X❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m so very sorry for your loss Nagi. I have been where you are now and can tell you that it does get easier after a while. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Dozer with all of us.