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
Dear Nagi, I am so sorry about Dozer. In time you will learn to think about him gently, with fewer tears. I lost my 3-legged Leggy last year, also at 14. But I let it drag on too long, believing that I wouldn’t play God and decide when she would die. So I carried her around, put nappies on her, hand-fed her, bought her soft blankets, pillows and softer mattresses. In the end she could barely lift her head to eat a few mouthfuls and became painfully thin. And I realised that I was not doing her a kindness, so we drove to the vet together for the last time. Her ashes are now in my dressing table.
I wish you strength and peace and only memories that bring a smile.
Dear Nagi
What a truly beautiful tribute to an amazing dog and companion. He was a very lucky boy to have such a beautiful owner .
Dear Nagi,
I’m so sorry for your loss. It was a lovely dog!
RIP Dozer a true doggie legend. You became as famous as Lassie and Rin Tin-tin and will be sorely missed.
Nagi my most sincere condolences to you for the loss of your best friend.
Dozer, an angel without wings called home.
I’m so so sorry. Dozer was such a gift to you and you were such a gift to Dozer. Soulmates come in different forms, sometimes with 2 legs but often with 4 and hairy.
Wish I could change things and make our beautiful fur babies last forever. Their unconditional love is beautiful.
I think that Dozer will never be too far away from you Nagi giving you comfort and shadowing you at home and especially in the kitchen. 🩵🩵🩵
Sending love and hugs 🩷
Dear Nagi
I feel your pain and I’m sorry for your loss,I do hope that in time the pain will lessen as it does
.Thinking of you and sending love 💕
So, so very sad. I feel your grief and I feel your love. My heart breaks for you. I also feel that your love was so great and so expansive, that he will always be around you, guiding you. xoxo
So sorry for your loss. What a lovely friend he was
Rest in Peace Dear Sweet Dozer.
Love you forever and ever.
Nick 🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️❤️❤️
I know in time you will remember only the happy times and we are all blessed to have shared in your beautiful Dozers life.
My deepest condolences.
I love my dog, (a pug called Pluto), like my second son.❤️❤️
My heart is feeling your sadness. Such a tough time. He was one gorgeous boy and so very sad he fell so ill. Sometimes life can be so unfair
Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. Rest in eternal peace Dozer. You’re in my prayers Nagi, you’ll see him again at the bridge.
Nagi, I am so sorry for loss. I have been there with my 17yr old Lab, Ed and my 17 and a half yr old Golden, Lily. Dozier will be your guardian angel and always in your heat. ❤️
Nagi, my heart breaks for you. Sending love and hugs.
I know how your heart is hurting.
It was very obvious how much you loved and cherished Dozer.
You have so many wonderful memories.
You Will always love Dozer that will never change.
Much Love xx💕
So very sorry. Wouldn’t it be amazing if the people could express such unconditional love, loyalty and friendship xx
RIP sweet Dozer😢Your presence will be missed😢
I’m so sorry for your loss, Nagi. Dozer was larger than life and took up a lot of space – both figuratively and no doubt literally – in this world. I am struck by how many people recently on the FB page and here who have shared their stories of the same kind of loss…it is such a unique (but universal) love and hence such a huge, almost all-consuming grief when we must say goodbye our beloved pets. Yes, as the months turn into years, you can come a little further away from the edge of dissolving into tears just at the thought of their trusting, loyal faces. Of your last days with them. But they never truly leave us, and although your life chapter with Dozer is now over, you will have so many wonderful, beautiful memories of your golden boy. And for all of us, we will have the bittersweet joy of seeing Dozer again and smiling at his antics every time we look up one of your fabulous recipes online (and in our cookbooks!) Take your time and make space for the grief. Know that you are not alone and are much loved and treasured. Sending white light and love xxx
Vale Dozer. So sorry that he is gone Nagi. He was such a special boy.