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. My heart goes out to you. Im writing this in tears feeling like im saying goodbye to a family member. You and Dozer have been part of my cooking routine for 5 years now. Thank you and Dozer for brighteing up pur lives and sharing your love of food. Give him and extra special cuddle and pats from from me. Love alma x
Sending much love. It was such an honour and joyous time to have met yourself and beloved Dozer in Canberra, Healing hugs and thoughts. xx
How lucky you are to have each other❤️ thinking of you and sweet Dozer
Oh Nagi,
Ive been a veterinary nurse for 35 years, and I have cried with deep sadness so many times over situations like this. But his last day doesn’t need to be his worst day and if he can spend it feeling all the love he’s always had from you, that will be enough.
My heart breaks for you.
Hi Nagi,
Cheering for you and Dozer all the way from Winterpeg, Canada. He is the luckiest boy to have a mama like you and you to be able to spend so much time with him. I am a fur mama too and I feel the pain you’re going through. It’s an experience that I don’t want to go through again but I know I must since I still have two of them. Sending you both tight hugs and kisses 😘
Sending you lots of love!! We all love Dozer and I’m sure he knows his mum did the best for him!
My heart breaks for you Nagi. Dozer knows absolutely how much he’s loved by his Mumma Bear. Sending big hugs. May his journey into the sunset of his life be smooth & pain free 🙏🏼💔
Sending the biggest hugs to you and Dozer. We lost our beautiful Tilly (lab/collie cross) last year at almost 14 and it’s still hard to look at photos of her without a tear in my eye.
The hardest part of pet ownership is saying goodbye.
You and Dozer have had a wild and amazing ride together, take strength in knowing you loved each other and his life was filled with love and food…
He is one in a million
Thank you for sharing this Nagi. Love your book and your wonderful recipes, and love seeing the charismatic Dozer. We have a 5 year old spoodle who we adore and I can’t begin to imagine how hard it will be when her time comes. A dog’s life is so much shorter than ours (usually, anyway), so they’re on loan to us for just a few years, which is pretty hard to accept once we fall completely in love with them.
I lost my soul/heart dog Ruby Alice, back in July. My only advice would be – don’t think too far ahead. Dozer is with you in this minute and that is a gift. Enjoy every second of your time with him and try not to waste any of that precious time thinking about tomorrow or this afternoon or next week. He’s here with you now and that’s all that matters. He’s also a fighter, and has a fighter mum, so you never know, he just might surprise you! Sending all the love I can muster to you both xx (insta @tory1310)
Sending all my doggy hugs and kisses to dozer, and some love to you as well! I can barely see through the tears so I hope I press the right buttons. ❤️❤️🐶❤️❤️
If only every furry friend in the world could be loved and cared for like Dozer….what a lucky boy!
Sending you both soo much love and hugs. Thank you for sharing beautiful Dozer with us all and allowing him to be part of our lives. Love you Dozer 🩵🩵🩵xxx
Be proud of what a wonderful life you have given him & remember all the joy & love he has given you. Kia kaha stay strong love from Aotearoa NZ
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Dozer during this difficult time. I have been through this recently and share in your pain. Hugs and love for both of you.
My tears today are for you and dozer. I hope he mends well enough to come home and gets somemore quality time with you.
My heart goes out to you, Nagi. As you’ve shared Dozer with us over the past years, I feel as though I know him. Thank you for sharing him with us, and I will keep you in my heart as you accompany him on his final journey. Much love.
Wishing you all the strength you need for what must come, and love to your house from ours. Thank you for sharing the life of Dozer with us.
Dear Nagi,
I can imagine how difficult these moments are for you. It’s so hard to see our fur babies grow older faster than we do. Enjoy this time with Dozer, and I hope he can enjoy the things he loves again. You are in the hearts and minds of all of your community, and thank you for always sharing a slice of Dozer’s life with us.
Oh Nagi, our family had to say goodbye to our beloved dog some few months ago. I feel your pain. Losing unconditional love and your constant is unimaginable and painful. I’ve seen you treat Dozer like your baby and it is a true testament to the love you have for him. He will always be a part of your story and he will always remember the love he was given (and treats). It is true we don’t deserve dogs because they are just the most wonderful creatures. In such tough times I wish you both the best and send you all the love I can through a phone message. 🩷