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, my heart is with you as you grieve for your best buddy Dozer. He will always be with you in spirit. It will take as long as it takes for you to feel ok but remember He is in spirit now and will always be with you xx
So sorry for your loss. I know how the tears flow when we lose a beloved companion
I’m actually ugly crying. Because I know the love you held for Dozer. A bond like no other. And so incredibly and deeply loyal.
They never really leave us though Nagi. They’re always in our hearts forever ❤️
Awww so sorry for your loss Nagi. Such a beautiful soul lost. I still have Dozer’s photo in my my phone’s gallery and it always brightened my day when coming across his beautiful face, now it’s a deep sadness I feel but so glad he had you to love and cherish him and to be there during his time to leave this world to go on to his next adventure. 🩵🩵
My heart goes out to you Nagi. You couldn’t have done more for your darling Dozer, and he was loved beyond measure and gave you so much love in return.
We lost our little boy last year, the memories will always be a blessing, as will yours.
Praying for your heart to heal soon.
Dear Nagi,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Dozer.
You said that all of your love wasn’t enough to allow Dozer to come home one last time, but I believe that Dozer was at home in his last moments, because for our dogs, home isn’t a place, it’s a person.
You were by his side as he crossed over the rainbow bridge hearing your voice, seeing your face, smelling your clothes, feeling your heart beat and touching your hands. I just know that that was all Dozer ever wanted and needed.
Please try to be kind to yourself and take any offers of support from the people that love you and care for you as you process this grief.
Dozer brought joy to millions and although that joy may look and feel different from now on, we will all carry it with us through this world. As we walk across the sand and splash about in the ocean, or even as we encounter a plateful of kale(!), we will think of Dozer.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful boy with us xx
Well this has got me again. The tears are flowing. Our pets are everything & they just don’t live anywhere near long enough! Your letter to Dozer is just beautiful & I’m sure he has heard & felt every word of it. It will get easier even though it doesn’t feel like it right now. My heart hurts for you at this painful time.
My heart goes out to you, I’m so sorry to hear your very sad news. I’m sitting here sobbing along with you, prayers in my heart. Thank you so much for sharing his adventures with us, he’ll be very sadly missed by us all.
Lots of hugs & love coming your way.
Sincerely
Sending live and hugs to Nagi and team at this hard time. 💔
Oh Nagi …. I feel your pain, the pain of losing that unconditional love, that soul that cherished your entire being, as much as your adored his. Who gave you every inch of love they had to give. The love that kept him fighting for so long to stay with you. With time it gets easier but in quiet moments when a memory of Dozer pops into your head or you hear that tinkle of his collar you will always shed a tear but his spirit will always be with you,…in you.
Please know that this is tugging at the hearts of so so many people. Many of us have gone through this too, like me only 3 months ago.
Most of all we want to thank you too for allowing us to love your boy. Thank you for sharing so many of your wonderful moments together with all of us.
As I get to hug my two girls tonight I will again shed a quiet tear for you.
Take strength in knowing there is so much love out there for you.
With all my love and strength in this dark time. 🐾❤️🐾
Dearest Nagi, what pain and sadness – we too lost our 14 yr old Goldie in November and the loss is huge. Take solace in the fact you gave him the best life any dog could have had. How lucky you/we were to have held their hearts with ours for so long! According to the writer Douglas Adams, there are 232 types of rain. Grief is the same. It comes in droplets and squalls, drizzle and downpour. My deepest sympathy ❤️🩹
The pain and grief of losing a beloved pet never really goes away. I was in tears when I learnt you had lost him, again with the photos and reading your beautiful sentiments to Dozer, I’m feeling as sad and bereft as when each of ours left us. We are blessed and
privileged to have had them in our lives and thank you for sharing the beautiful loving bond between you. X
Hi Nagi,
So very sorry for your loss. My eyes were teary reading your post and even now whilst writing this. I can relate to what you went through. We too lost our Golden Retriever back in 2009. She was 14 going on 15 years. I still feel sad when i think of her. Dozer is gone but he will remain forever in your heart and those who were lucky enough to get to know him. Rest in peace, Dozer!
Thinking of you, Nagi and sending love & hugs as you farewell your beautiful Dozer xx 🌈 💛🦴
My heart goes out to you Nagi. He was an absolute adoring loyal best mate for you. Blessings
❤️❤️❤️
Hello Nagi,
Feeling so sad for you. Dozer is running free now.
Best wishes
Meg 💜🌈🐝
My heart aches for you Nagi. Such a beautiful boy who gave so much to all who knew him. Sending you prayers of comfort and healing. Grief is a journey that requires courage and good friends!! Love and hugs Janet
So sad having to say goodbye Nagi, it feels like Dozer was a friend of us all
We feel your pain Nagi.
You can hold your head up high that you did your absolute best for beautiful Dozer.⭐️
Golden retrievers are very special dogs. We lost ours several years ago but my heart still jumps whenever I see one!
Sending hugs and prayers.
Dear Nagi,
So Sorry Nagi – Biggest HUGS
XXX
May you gain some comfort knowing you gave Dozer, The BEST LIFE anyone could have.
Take Care of yourself Nagi, and know everyone is thinking of you xxx