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. ❤️
Oh Nagi there are no words and number to the tears losing your best friend & companion so completely. A million of us grieve with you, even though it doesn’t offer comfort….
Prayers to Nagi and Dozer
Nagi, you have been an inspiration to many of us…your infectious smile, uplifting personality your family values, delicious recipes, friend to many & one hell of a pet Mama….prayers, wishes & sunshine amount your clouds…our thoughts are with you & Dozer….love to you & your extended families…xx
The joy of animal friends is their undying loyalty and love. We could learn much from our animal friends. I hope that your sorrow will soon be replaced by only beautiful memories of a loyal, loving friend. Dozer will be trotting along with you forever, so rejoice in those memories that you cherish most. In friendship and care.
❤️❤️❤️
I feel your pain, knowing what is to come. My fur baby passed in 1995 and I still tear up when I think about her. She was a rescue dog from the RSPCA but in my eyes she was the most loving adorable doggie in this world. Dozer will be the same to you.
I’ve got tears coming down my face. Oh Dozer, thankyou for lighting us for so many years. You truly are a special boy.
Nagi, you are the best mum ❤️
Sending love, thoughts and prayers to you Nagi, to the amazing Team looking after precious Dozer and to the rest of your Team holding down the fort while you are spending such special time with Dozer. I am especially praying for comfort and peace for Doser during this heartbreaking time 🙏🏻❤️✨
Nagi,
My heart is breaking for you.
Know that you and Dozer are in my thoughts and prayers, along with so many of us who have loved witnessing your incredible bond.
Navigating this chapter is gruelling – but only great love leads to such profound loss.
I found that thought really comforting when our Sammy Sebastian passed away two years ago – with both my husband and I holding his paws as he took his last breath. Not going to lie – I still miss him every single day.
Give yourself lots of grace – and please look after yourself.
You two are very special. xx
Sending love and strength to beautiful Dozer and yourself, at what is such an incredibly hard time🙏 Pretty sure my daughter has already send her well wishes which also include love from her goldies ( my grand- goldies) Dougie and Betty and my own big Bear who probably wishes he was a goldie🧡💛🩵
My heart breaks for you, the love you have for Dozer, well it’s just special, he’s been one lucky boy to have you as his Mum, much love to you both.
Dozer the love and joy and life of the party of @recipetineats, the joy he brings to every recipe and every page opened in our ‘Dinner’ ‘Tonight’ oozes Dozer, he will be forever in many hearts the little fighter he is
Before I even got to your words I was teary from the headline and photo of you with Dozer. It is more than 30 years since our much loved irish wolfhound reached the end of his life. Paddy passed away in my arms and I remember it so clearly. It was a deeply sad day and there still is a very big Paddy-shaped hole in my heart and there always will be.
No one could have loved Dozer more than you! He certainly was loved and cherished, and will continue to be beyond this life. I hope the love he has given you will hold you, and make you strong when he crosses the rainbow bridge, till you meet again.
Hugs to you and to Dozer.
So so sorry to read about your beautiful boy Dozer. I hope he gets well enough to go home, so you can spoil him. They all
Take a little bit of our 💕
So sorry that you are facing the final farewell with Dozer.
You have given him the best life; he could not have been more loved and not could you. I wish you the courage to face it, the strength to make his going as calm and loving as it can be and all the tissues in the world for what comes after. ❤️🩹
Oh Nagi there are no words and number to the tears losing your best friend & companion so completely. A million of us grieve with you, even though it doesn’t offer comfort….
Oh Nagi. Thank you for sharing the joy of Dozer with all of us. I wish your boy a lovely journey home. Our hearts are with you.
So heartbreaking 💔
Sending you and Dozer all the love
I’m crying. So many of us have been there, and it never gets easier. Then we get angry and swear we’ll never get another dog again, until you realize the gaping hole in your heart. Those of us who are devout dog lovers know that they bring a special kind of joy to our lives that’s difficult to live without. God bless you, Dozer and Nagi.
my thoughts and love are with you both. Take care. xxx