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
We love you, Dozer and Nagi.
When my Baloo Bear had his last day recently, someone told me that grief is the price we pay for love – my goodness it’s a high price but so worth it for boys as special as Dozer and Baloo.
Much love to you both. 🫂❤️
Oh Nagi, I am so so sorry you have lost the best friend any human could have. They don’t judge us, they just want us to love them and will give everything in return. Dozer gave you 14 wonderful joyous years that will stay in your heart forever. Now, whenever I make a ‘Nagi’ meal ( as they are called in our house) I will always picture Dozer sampling it first. Love to you Nagi, you too have made a lot of people happy xx
i am a doggy mum of my 3rd beautiful golden retriever over my 56 years. They have all been my best friend and I still miss them terribly. Heartfelt sympathy to you Nagi. 🫶🏼🐕
Oh Nagi I’m so sorry 🙁 This just broke my heart into one thousand pieces. RIP Dozer.
Hi Nagi, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I work with dogs for a living and I so enjoyed watching Dozer on all your posts. Your recipes are so reliable and I love them – I am also a home cook who loves to cook and bake, but first and foremost a dog lover. Take good care – it’s tough loving dogs – their live are far too short.
Your heart is broken and there are no words that will help. Please know so many people loved your darling Dozer. He is on the Rainbow Bridge smiling down at you. You were the best mum he could have had.
Oh my goodness, I’m so so sorry to hear about this! Hoping for your healing as you navigate these hard times 🩷
Tears streaming down my face too. That fur soul that chose US…not the other way around. They KNEW u needed eachother for a time….ALL the emotions….hold them close….i will NEVER forget my sam. How lucky we are to have known & been taught such love. the biggest bear hug to you right now
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Dozer. So many of us grew to love him through your posts.
You were such a good mommie to him. Hopefully the memories of your time together will bring you healing comfort.❤️🐾❤️
Nagi–
I am grieving with you. I’m so glad that you got to have the lovely gift of Dozer and the pure love and acceptance you shared with him. Such joy and beauty! So hard and so sad to let it go. I am so so sorry (crying as I type this). I never met the two of you and yet your beautiful attachment to each other touched my heart. I won’t forget either.
So sorry for your loss, they teach us so very much in their short time you summed that up perfectly. Sending love and furry hugs from Jacqui💜Trevor🐾💜 and Wally 🐾💜
Hi Nagi, I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend Dozer. May he RIP.
“To have known such unconditional LOVE is the greatest gift of all” now the brightest star in the night sky is DOZER. So sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Dozer.
I am so sad for you and I’m thinking of you.
Your words summed it all up.
Sending all my love
Nat & my puppies Bessie and Od’ios 💞💞💞💞
Nagi x
So sorry to hear the loss of dear Dozer. Dozer is such a big part of RTE and do you know isn’t it wonderful you got those two cookbooks out before this happened…His memory will forever live on in those pages ♡. And any animal lover-type cook like me who has those cookbooks will agree – we’ll be so glad to have “known him” and hold those precious memories with you!
I always had to have a little peek at the pic of Dozer before I got started on the recipe! Darling dog ♡ I’m going to miss him and I’ve never met him!!
🙏 ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss, I know words can never express the sorrow you are feeling at this time. We are here for you 🙏❣️
Thank you for sharing Dozer with us Nagi. We all loved him and will all miss him in our own ways. Lots of hugs, love and support for you now and always. You’ll always be in our hearts Dozer
I am so so sorry for your loss Nagi. Thank you for sharing Dozer with all of us. He will be missed but never forgotten. What a grand and glorious life the two of you created. Rest well old boy. ❤️