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 am so sorry for your loss. Dozer will live on in your heart and memories. He will be missed dearly.
Hi
Your heart is still in shock, still reaching for someone who was woven into your every day. What you wrote is beautiful and true: this pain exists because the love was real, deep, and wholehearted.
Right now it does feel endless. That’s not because you’re weak or doing grief “wrong,” but because love doesn’t disappear on a schedule. One day—slowly, unfairly slowly—you’ll notice that the photos hurt a little less, that a memory makes you smile before it makes you cry. Not because the love faded, but because it found a new place to live.
Dozer was lucky. Truly. To be loved like that—fiercely, completely, without reservation—is the best life any soul could have, human or otherwise. And that love didn’t end when you said goodbye. It just changed form. We love you Nagi all the way from 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
—your heart is still in shock, still reaching for someone who was woven into your every day. What you wrote is beautiful and true: this pain exists because the love was real, deep, and wholehearted.
Right now it does feel endless. That’s not because you’re weak or doing grief “wrong,” but because love doesn’t disappear on a schedule. One day—slowly, unfairly slowly—you’ll notice that the photos hurt a little less, that a memory makes you smile before it makes you cry. Not because the love faded, but because it found a new place to live.
Dozer was lucky. Truly. To be loved like that—fiercely, completely, without reservation—is the best life any soul could have, human or otherwise. And that love didn’t end when you said goodbye. It just changed form. We love you Nagi all the way from 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Dear Nagi
I am in tears as I write this message.
I didn’t ever meet Dozer but I felt his presence every time I made one of your recipes.
I am so sorry you have to say goodbye but his spirit will live on.
Sending love.
Dear Nagi,
Many of us have been in your position, sometimes more than once. As we loose our dear faithful friends and cheeky champions as the years pass, I think we take comfort in the fact that we gave them love, and the best home and life they could have had.
We were their human, they followed us with love and adoration, just as every pat and scratch we gave them returned it.
And every bit of human food their eyes managed to weezle out of us. Hehe.
And they live on in our next pup/dog as we tell them stories about the dog who used to do all the funny things. And who is never forgotten.
Sending love.
I am so sad to hear about Dozer. Reading your constant stories and updates about that cutie over the years was something I always looked forward to. True love. Praying for your comfort and many blessings.
While I was reading your letter to Dozer, I felt your pain. I send you my big hugs here and prayed for your comfort.
My deepest condolences! I love how you gave him such a great life and he you! Dogs are so special!
Dear Nagi, my heart breaks for you.
My beautiful, loving mixed breed rescue boy is now 17.
I dread the day that I have the same experience as you.
My sincerest condolences. Nothing can replace our nearest and dearest. I was given a Kelpie/Rotweiler named Dorothy when my husband died. She took over the care of me and my two sons and was everyone’s favourite dog. She too was about the same age when she passed away but I have her buried in the back yard and have planted seasonal princess lillies on her grave which bloom once a year. I just thought that sometimes its nice to hear you are not the only one that is grieving.
Nagi I am so sorry for your loss. My husband and I had been waiting for news of your beautiful boy. Thank you for sharing him with us – your cookbook(s) are always in my kitchen and failing that I’ve got you online. Invariably if it’s online the first thing I look at is Dozer. I have cried for you and for him. Wishing you all the love and the strength you can muster to carry on – I’m sure he’d be proud to see it. Lots of love xxx
Nagi I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful little soul you shared your life with.
Oh Nagi, I am just so sorry for your loss and inspired by your great love.
So sorry and so sad for your loss. We are having to put my daughter’s dog down too and it’s heartbreaking to lose your loyal companion.
Dearest Nagi,
Truly, what does one say to ease a heart that is shattered into a million pieces?
Sharing your life with Dozer through your writings and snaps was our gift; certainly a joy in my life.
I too, like so many of your readers, would click on Dozer’s link first to see what the boy had been up to! And yes, my heart is broken too by his passing.
Your tribute written to honour Dozer, Nagi, is so beautiful. The dedication you both had to one another will forever surround you, and in time, your memories will stir joy, smiles and laughter, as hard as that may seem right now.
Please take care of your fragile heart right now, Nagi, and know, really know, that your big, beautiful, Dozer is only a comforting thought away, dwelling in your mind and your heart.
Dozer was loved by so many of us, and so are YOU.
Rest in Peace, sweet Dozer. You fought the good fight to stay with your mistress. You are missed.
Sending my “Deepest Condolences” and Hugs
from The Canadian Prairies.
💔🥹💞🤗
Thank you so very much, Nagi, for sharing your precious Dozer with the entire world. We will all miss him, too, but our hearts especially ache for you. 💔 🌈
Rest in perfect peace Dozer. Your life was a testament to the blessing that you are (and that Nagi) is. Nagi, I am praying for comfort to find and never leave you. Encouraging you to take it a day at time!
With love,
Erica
I am so very sorry for the loss of you beloved Dozer! He will always be with you♥️🙏🏼♥️
Won’t bother with words, just sending love and support. 💛💛💛
Nagi, I am so sorry for your loss.
You gave him the best life! x
I am so sorry. My daughter and I talk about Dozer all the time. We will miss him.
What a special bond and he will always be with you. Feeling for you and understand completely the grief of losing a family member and how hard they try to stay for us. Thanks Nagi for sharing Dozer with us.