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
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I’m crying as I read this. I return to you site often and I was just looking for one of you recipes when I saw this. I’m so sorry for your loss. Animals are amazing. Hoping you are finding peace and some joy in your memories of having given Dozer the best life ever..
Thank you for everything Dozer and Nagi. Much love, Lil xx
I”m so, so sorry – and grateful, too, that you shared this amazing creature with us, if only online.
I never skip the Dozer section of your wonderful recipes. His photos always bought a smile to my face. I cannot even begin to imagine how much you miss him. Please accept my condolences.
With love from South Africa
I’ve only just seen the news about Dozer. I’m so sorry! We love them so much and it hurts like hell when they have to go. The pain will go but he’ll never leave your heart 💔
I am so sorry for your loss Nagi we have known it was always Nagi and Dozer. I am really sorry to hear that Dozer passed so sad. Dozer rest in peace.
The ache in your heart and the lonlyness never leaves. The memory of the good times stays and makes the loss more difficult….but, that only means that having that special pet was so very good. We go thru it and never forget and will always feel a sadness with recalled memories. Wishing you the best. stu Borken
Dear Nagi, our animals show us the better side of everything ❤️ They love us unconditionally and when we have to say goodbye a little piece of our heart goes with them, they are often far better than humans. So often people do not realise how important and special our animals are, they are our family and they are loved beyond measure. Shedding so many tears reading your beautiful goodbye to dozer xxx
Tears and love from Texas. I
Dozer will be forever in our hearts whenever we cook one of your recipes! Beloved boi.
RIP our beautiful DOZER , Our world needs more of you Nagi , take care 🙂 ❤️
RIP our beautiful DOZER 😍 NAGI , our world needs more of you ! take care 🙂 💕
I’m 10 days late in hearing this, Nagi, and im so sorry.
Dozer will be sorely missed but forever adored. ❤️
So very sorry to hear about Dozer. Thank you for sharing Dozer with us too. He was so loved by you and he had the best life with you. Sending love over this difficult time ❤️
So very sad to hear about Dozers passing. What a lovely boy he was. Sending love
So sorry for your loss of your beautiful boy Nagi.
That is the only thing wrong with dogs – they just don’t live long enough😭
💔😢 The thousand of comments say it all Nagi, sending love to you
Hi Nagi, I’m so sorry to hear about Dozer. I really wish our dogs could live with us our whole lives! We miss them so much – because we love them so much. Wishing you comfort, peace, hugs and permission to not be upbeat 🙂
It’s amazing how beloved a dog can be, halfway around the world. And I’ve never even met him. I’m crying again, hurting with you Nagi, over the loss of Dozer to this world. But especially because we pet parents who have the privilege of having adorable furry creatures adopt us and change our entire existence can’t help but fall apart when we lose a Dozer, even if Dozer belonged to someone else. Love and comfort to you Nagi, and thank you for continuing to share the Best of Dozer. I share your heartbreak.
So sorry for your loss Nagi. Our dogs are family and losing one is heartbreaking. Remember the wonderful times to help you heal.
R.I.P. Dozer.
Thinking of you Nagi, with a sad heart, it is so hard to say goodbye to our wonderful family members that give so much love. I also wanted to say how lucky Dozer was to have you as his mum. Everything photo of you both together radiated the love you shared together. XX