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’m so sorry for your loss 🙏 and hugs
So sorry for your loss.
I’m crying as I read this. Oh no! 😭
RIP Dozer!
Well…
I’m a bloody mess after reading that!
How are you all doing? 🤧
Love to you, Nagi x
Thank you, Nagi for sharing him with us. His life has touched millions and we are grateful for his and your love. Forever in our hearts 🥰
I’m so heartbroken for you and all of us who loved Dozer. If there is a Heaven it will be where we never have to be parted from our beloved four-leggeds. Deep hug Nagi.
Nagi, I am truly sorry. Our animals are family. God bless you for the life you gave him. Hugs
Sending you angels and love to help you through your toughest days. Xx
I lost both my boys within 10 weeks of each other in 2024,
The hurt is awful and only now can I look at all the photos of them without crying.
That is the price we pay for all the love we had from them ❣️
Oh Nagi. What a beautiful tribute to your beloved Dozer. Sending hugs. ❤️❤️
Oh Nagi, I was in tears just reading the title of today’s post. I had so hoped for Dozer to make it home one more time. I’m sure that even though physically he couldn’t, he was replaying in his mind all the wonderful moments of his life with you as you remained at his side.
Thank you for sharing your boy with us, he is so loved and the pain of losing him will be felt far and wide.
Sending much love and big hugs,
Eileen
I’ll leave you with this quote;
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Winnie the Pooh (A. A. Milne)
So sorry, Nagi.
I am so sorry for your loss Nagi❤️.
Nagi, I’ve always said losing a pet is harder than losing certain family members. I think all of us followers of dozer and you should make dozers favourite dish as a tribute to a wonderful team.
I am so sorry for your loss, Nagi. Sending you so much love and light. 💚🙏🏼
No offense, Nagi, but Dozer was the first thing I looked for in your recipes. After first seeing what he was up to, I almost forgot the recipe😊.
He will not be forgotten ❤️.
Words cannot express what the heart wants to say. My heart goes out to you and yours. 🙏🩵♥️
Too sad, sending love and hugs ❤️❤️❤️
They Don’t Know…
They tell you not to cry.
They tell you that it’s just a dog, not a human being.
They tell you that the pain will be over.
They tell you that the animals don’t know that they have to die.
They tell you that it’s important not to let him suffer.
They tell you that you can have another one.
They tell you it’s going to happen to you.
They tell you that there is more pain.
But they don’t know how many times you’ve looked into your dog’s eyes.
They don’t know how many times you and your dog have looked into darkness alone.
They don’t know how many times your dog was the only one who was by your side.
They don’t know how much fear you have at night when you wake up with your grief.
They don’t know how many times your dog slept near you.
They don’t know how much you’ve changed since the dog has become a part of your life.
They don’t know how many times you hugged him when he was sick.
They don’t know how many times you’ve acted like you didn’t see her hair getting whiter.
They don’t know how many times you’ve talked to your dog, the only one who really hears.
They don’t know that it was just your dog who knew you were in pain.
They don’t know what it feels like to see your old dog trying to say hello.
They don’t know that if things went wrong, the only one who didn’t go is your dog.
They don’t know that your dog trusts you every moment of his life, even in the last.
They don’t know how much your dog loved you and how it is enough for him to be happy, because you loved him.
They don’t know that crying for a dog is one of the most noble, significant, true, clean and warmest things you can do.
They don’t know when the last time you moved him with trouble… made sure it didn’t hurt him.
They don’t know what it felt like to pet their face in the last moments of their life….
In Memory of all those who went over the rainbow bridge. You all have a place forever in our hearts
– author Emanuele Spud Grandi
I am so sorry for your loss of Dozer.
There really aren’t any words one can express.
My heartfelt condolences,
Camille
So sorry for your loss, I loved seeing Dozer with you. They bring so much into our lives. He will be missed.