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
RIP Dozer – you were loved not only by your Mom Nagi, but by many many many more around the world. I certainly loved following your escapades and will miss you!! You beautiful boy RIP
Dear Nagi,
So sorry to hear of your loss of a great friend and family member. I will remember him every year on 26th April, he and I shared a birthday.
Many Blessings.
Tears in my eyes as I write. It’s such a difficult thing to lose a dog, it’s not just an animal but part of your family, they love so unconditionally and with their whole being. We had to say goodbye to our 13 yr old dog a couple of years ago and it was so hard. I missed him so much. I bought a little silver mini schnauzer dog charm and wore it round my neck for a year, never took it off and touched it when I missed or thought about him. The weight of it felt like he was still with me❤️ The sorrow surprised me, in it’s depth and length… be kind to yourself Nagi xx
To Nagi,
Your unconditional love for DOZER was remarkable – I admire you for showing so much love to your wonderful pet – who was more human than human. In the Jewish religion we say – we wish you ‘a long life’ when somebody passes away, our tradition. So to you dear Nagi, I wish you ‘a long life’ and may you be comforted by the thoughts of your undying love and devotion to DOZER. Take care ANN
My heart goes out to you, Nagi. May Dozer’s spirit be with you always. Sending you a hug from the PNW. 🤗
Dear Nagi & the Recipe Tin Eats family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Dozer was such an amazing fellow & his loss will be extremely hard to bear. Try & think of all the good & fun times you had & take comfort that you did all you could for him & had 14 wonderful years together though I know it’s never enough. Thinking of you ❤️🩹🐾
I’m so so sorry Nagi. A beloved family member. RIP Dozer, enjoy all those food scraps and treats in heaven .
The hardest thing and the kindest thing, and the least we can do for all their unconditional love, is ease their passing and be there.
Nagi, Dozer has left his old aching body. His spirit, though, will never leave you. I talk to my beloved dogs who have left their earthly bodies a lot. It becomes a comfort.
I shed tears reading this post. I grieve your loss as you grieve for Dozer. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Sad times, take care.
crying reading this thinking of my own senior dog who will one day face this. Your recipes and him were the two things that literally kept me alive when I first moved out of home. Thank you Nagi for nourishing me from afar, I hope you find solace and comfort the way your food has comforted me. Rest easy Dozer 🌈
I feel your pain – so sorry you had to let Fozer go. Very sad for you
🐾☀️🤗
Rest in peace now beautiful Dozer.
Unfortunately our precious furry family members don’t live as long as we do but everyday was a blessing and joy for you both. Hold close all those precious memories close to your heart. Dozer will always be with you, he may come to you in your dreams, you may find feathers around in unusual places or just on your doorstep , his still there with you 🙏
Heartfelt condolences from Victoria, Canada. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry Nagi for your loss of your beautiful Dozer.
Dear Nagi, we share the desperation of grief you feel when you lose a devoted companion who was everything to you. Dozer was and will remain an integral part of your life and of Recipetineats. Dogs give us all of themselves so how could we do any less? Be gentle with yourself.
Dear Nagi
Desperately sorry for your loss. Treasure the wonderful memories. You will never get over your loss, you will just learn to live with it, take your time.
Thinking of you.
Lucilla
I’m crying with you and for you and Dozer
I am so sad for you Nagi. Loosing a best friend and such an integral part of your life is devastating. Live on with your wonderful memories
Oh oh oh… I’m heartbroken. I’ve been exactly here, and it hurts so deeply. I never met the beautiful boy but I loved him along with everyone else. He was a lucky dog to have been so loved. Now he lives in your heart. X