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Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,775 Comments
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Published9 Feb '26 Updated2 Mar '26

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.

Dozer Nagi at Bayview May 2022

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!

Nagi and Dozer on Studio 10 Channel 10 cookbook publicity tour
Nagi-Dozer-Roundhouse-Crystalbrook-Newcastle-photos-by-Megan-Evans-Photography-5

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

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4,775 Comments

  1. Donna Melendez says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    I could see the white hairs on your p precious Dozer’s face and understood that he was a senior citizen and your longtime beloved companion. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have experienced this as well. I wish you healing and comfort in this most difficult time💔❤️💔❤️.

    Reply
  2. Daniell Parker says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    He is in the Rainbow meadow:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Bridge_(pets)
    He is happy and pain free. He will play until he sees you again.
    I have been where you are 2x and I have 2 dogs now. He will not be replaces but it helps to get another one – when you are ready. Love and Hugs!

    Reply
  3. Evelyn Barling says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    Dear Nagi, our beautiful pups live only a short life as they give everything to their family. Dozer will always be with you in your heart and as I have found myself he will send another animal along to love you just as fiercely when the time is right. Maybe months maybe years but he will keep watch over you. Enjoy and cherish your wonderful memories of your gorgeous paw baby.
    Biggest hugs to you..
    Lyn.

    Reply
  4. Sev Tsimos says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    I’m so sorry Nagi… 💔 Hugs. xx

    Reply
  5. Vanessa says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    Ohhh Nagi! Im so sorry that you have lost your beautiful boy. Sending you the biggest of hugs.xx

    Reply
  6. Nat says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    Sending heartfelt condolences Nagi, your beautiful dog Dozer was loved by the world. Sending you love and healing hugs to get you through this very difficult time. xx

    Reply
  7. Paola Merullo-Bianco says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Thankyou for sharing your life with Dozer.
    My adult children and I are heart broken. Your books are precious filled with notes and comments from my adult children
    This week as my 19yr old said
    Our dinners are in your honour Dozer
    Remembered always

    Reply
  8. Dee says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    So sorry for your loss Nagi. Your love for Dozer was generously shared with so many and brought joy and light to all of us who follow you. Look after yourself, and know that you are not alone.

    Reply
  9. Sue Cook says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Oh, you poor darling Dozer was such a beautiful boy.. thank you for sharing so many wonderful stories with us all…just seeing you together made me smile…we all morn your very sad loss and remember he was very lucky to have such a caring mumma xxx

    Reply
  10. Kristin A Walters says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    What sad news from you. I am so sorry for your loss, Dozer was such a presence. Take care of yourself, and lots of love to you both, his love just needs to travel a bit further now.

    Reply
  11. Lyn says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    If love could have kept him alive he would have lived forever. So sad for you.

    Reply
  12. Julia Fraser says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Thank you Nagi for sharing Dozer with us over the years. He has brought so much joy to so many of us. He lived his best life surrounded by love right until his final moments. I wish that for all of us.

    Reply
  13. Siti says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Dearest Nagi,
    So terriby sorry for your loss, May all the wonderful memories with Dozer comfort you and rest assured Dozer is right there with you, smiling at your from over the rainbow. Sending you love and big big huggs from across the seas, take care.

    Reply
  14. Cheryl Evans says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    You gave each other 14 beautiful years full of love , just keep remembering that. 💜

    Reply
  15. Sunev says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    💔💔💔

    Reply
  16. Rohan says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Yep, I’m crying. All my love to you as you navigate this difficult time.

    Reply
  17. Julie MORRISON says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss Nagi. Our pets are our family & nothing can ever replace them. Dozer will always be looking down on you with a smile & he will be there for you when it’s your time. RIP Dozer. You were so very loved 🙏🏽❤️

    Reply
  18. Donna Thomas says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Dearest Nagi and team,
    We all feel some of your loss, sorry is not a big enough word, but , you know, all the things you wished for him at the end may not have happened but his wish, that you were there, loving and comforting him, was the only thing he wished for. And he had that . Hugs to you all dxx

    Reply
  19. Roslyn Gore says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Goodbye to Dozer and may the memories you made together, help to heal you and bring you to a time when you can smile when a ‘Dozer’ moment happens… Love and hugs from a person who has also suffered a tragic loss of a beautiful, irreplaceable, loving boy companion. Xxx

    Reply
  20. steve newlan says

    February 9, 2026 at 4:37 pm

    Thoughts are with you Nagi at this difficult time. R.I.P Dozer

    Reply
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