I’ve cried a thousand tears and there’s a million more to come.
Almost a fortnight ago, Dozer was hospitalised at SASH with a double lung infection (pneumonia). If he was a spritely young chap, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal. But he’s 13.9 years old, with other medical conditions, and with that comes the reality that is the circle of life.
The initial prognosis was dire, and he went downhill worryingly fast. But my boy is a fighter. Against all odds, he improved, his lungs showed some healing and his vitals were strong. He worked hard on physical rehab and was even discharged on the weekend ………
…….only to be back in ICU a mere 2 hours later with complications. Discharged again….then back in ICU again 10 hours later.
We’re in the final chapter of Life of Dozer and we all know how the story will end. But before we get to the final page, it is my greatest hope that Dozer can come home in good enough condition to have some time to do the things he loves the most – spending time with his favourite people, scavenging around the table, playing with friends at the beach.
And being by my side, 24/7. All the neck rubs in the world. All the hugs, all the kisses, all the pats.
So for the next little while, I will be taking time away from work. JB and my brother Goh are taking charge of both RTE and RTM (our food bank). JB is going to start sharing new recipes and bring some much needed cheer to this website. Hopefully one a week, if he can manage it with the extra business operations responsibilities he’s taken on. He’s been dropping off recipe samples to me at ICU, which I appreciate greatly, even if eating French delicacies next to beeping machines feels slightly surreal.
I can’t promise to share Dozer updates on all his recipes – to be frank, it depends how Dozer is going – but you’ll see some interesting insights into how JB and I work together on recipes remotely. 🙂
Thank you for all the years of love you’ve shown Dozer, for sharing your own fur baby stories, and for making him feel so deeply adored far beyond our little world. I hope to be able to share some more light hearted Life of Dozer tales for the next little while.
Love – Nagi x
Update: I am brokenhearted to share that he didn’t make it. See the Dozer Tribute post here.
Life of Dozer
In honour of the joy Dozer has brought to this website over the years, I can’t finish this post without bringing some cheer to the Life of Dozer section. 🙂 Here he is eating an ice pop – literally just plain ice. It’s his absolute favourite treat these days! Funny how much the bar drops when you’re in hospital, gourmet expectations reduced to frozen tap water and he’s living his best life. ❤️
I’ve adored your sweet baby for six years. We also lost our boy a few months ago. I genuinely feel your pain. Please know that there are hugs coming your way from Canada. I hope a bit of time has eased your grief, even a little. <3
Im so sorry about Dozer!
Oh Noooo! I was just saving a couple more of your recipes on my Pinterest account when I was absolutely SHOCKED to see that Dozer had passed away! I just couldn’t believe it! I then read your heartwarming letter and tears came to my eyes on doing so. He will be sorely missed by me and thousands of others. Our “pets”, our true companions in our lives, are so loved and so loving in return. It may sound strange, but I have a cat that is such a gentle loving friend. He adopted us from the back door about four years ago. We, of course, had the vet check him over and was told he has feline HIV, which is untreatable, and that sometime he will die from it. There is no way to tell when that will happen. I already dread when that will happen, but for now we share the most remarkable love together. So I am thinking of you, Nagi, in your grief and loneliness without your dear beloved friend Dozer!
I am so sorry about your Dozer. I know a life lived well, but I know how it feels too. Please know I am crying too. It is just too short that sparkling life.
You don’t know me, but I followed your recipes for years. I am so sorry. This has broken me for today.
I lost my baby girl about Five months ago at nearly 14 years and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for the pain you’re going through.
Christmas was really tough I thought, but on Friday it was my birthday and my hardest day ever .
It’s the little things that hurt the most but the greatest thing I have ever done in my life was to hold her so tight as she took her last breath and knowing that the next morning I would have to face the day and the rest of my life without my best mate.
Nagi you don’t know me but I’m sitting here in a pool of tears and I feel your pain
Condolences dear Nagi
From Kerrie
So very sorry for your deep loss of such a sweet boy. He had an outstanding human, to be sure. Maybe as a tribute, you could publish his very favorite foods (that are also okay for our dogs to taste)? I have a golden too. He likes people food way too much.
Nagi, please take comfort in the fact that Dozer had a wonderful life with you. Your love for him shone in every photograph. My favorites were the ones of him at the beach in the water with all his dog friends. God bless you both.
Nagi, please take comfort in the fact that Dozer had a wonderful life with you. Your love for him shone in every photograph. My favorites were the ones of him at the beach in the water with all his dog friends. God bless you both.
My deepest condolences. Dozer looks so content all the time. You are the best Mom and human I have seen. My heart breaks for you, and I wish you peace. ( I am a pet mom too)
Nagi thank you so much for sharing wonderful Dozer with us all over the years. He was such a lovely bonus to visiting your website. It is so, so sad that he has passed – my gosh what an outstanding life he had with you as his human 🐾❤️ love abounded.
My deepest condolences. My heart breaks for you, and I wish you peace.
Nagi, I have loved your posts and recipes for years. Today, I went on to see what you would do with Chicken only to find out about Dozer. I’m both saddened and teary-eyed to hear this terrible news. May Dozer’s spirit be with you forever.
Dear Nagi, wishing you strength during this devastatingly sad time. I read a saying once “we give dogs any, food we can, any time we can and any love we can, in return dogs give us everything they have”. Every now and then I get visitations from lost loved ones/fur family members and I am on a high for days. Stay strong Nagi. Dozer would want you to suffer.
Nagi… I was so sorry to read about Dozer’s passing and his going to doggy heaven. I lost my gorgeous fur baby two years ago and know how gutting it is. Sending you lots of love…..
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is so hard to lose one of our furry family members. It looks like you have a wonderful vet clinic to help you through this. So sad to hear of Dozer’s passing.
May Dozer find a Summer where the sun is cool and the rabbits are slow.
So sorry to hear of your Dozer’s leaving. We share your pain as our little Boston Terrier recently contracted bilateral pneumonia, and 32 hours from onset of symptoms we had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye. Anyway, Dozer: Sad was his passing, but his living was grand. Much love to you Nagi, best dog mum in the world.
It’s taken me so long to write this- I am so sorry, Nagi- words cannot express😔
I have such found memories of Dozer when you and Dozer were part of the local Mona Vale Vet community.
Dozer , with his ebullient enthusiasm about everything and your warm smile- plus all the early recipetineats experiments that we were so lucky to be Guinea pigs for!
All of the team at Mona Vale Vets send our deepest condolences – Dozer was a special soul.
Hope you are doing ok, Nagi, sending you much love from all of us ❤️🩹🐾
Dozer was a beautiful boy. You shared the best of this wonderful dog and he will be missed. My heart hurts for losing a dog is losing family. It’s heartbreaking. Lots of love,.