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
Nagi, I am crying with you, from simply re-living the final moments and treasured memories of my own little bundles of pure unconditional love that enter our lives and take our hearts completely, even as they give us theirs. We can only live in the moment in their memory and know that we miss them so because they were truly loved.
Dear Nagi, i’m so sorry for your loss. i’ve loved following you and Dozer and please be happy that you gave him the best life… you were so happy together… xxx
Sending love and gratitude for the love you’ve shared and inspiration you and Dozer have been ❤️
Nagi, we’re so so sorry for your loss. Dozer brought so much joy and light and life to your work and he was such a special part of RecipeTin Eats. I don’t think there has ever been a dog as well loved as Dozer, he had the most wonderful life and he knew your love with him to the end. Sending all our love as you process your loss and reflect on his life.
I am so sorry to hear about Dozer. It is always going to be a very painful experience. I am glad that he was in your life and was loved for so long. Here’s to Dozer! Stay strong Nagi!
Hi Nagi,
So sorry for your loss. I know that pain. We lost our fur baby of 14 yrs.
We would love you to make a recipe – Dozer Dog Biscuits to commemorate your beautiful boy.
Awww Nagi… so sad to read your post about losing you beloved Dozer, my heart goes out to you 💔
I am so sorry for your loss of Doser. Remember a little bit of him will always be with you in the lovely memories that you have. Your readers are thinking of you at this difficult time. I wanted to share that I made your scallops dish JBs Coquilles Saint -Jacque-with the creamy sauce. I used some shells that were my mother’s. And It was special as it is the first time in 30 years I have used these. The. dish worked like a treat. Enjoyed by all. Especially good that I was able to make them the day before. Thank you for your tried and true recipes and for the passion that goes with with your life and with your food . A little of that joy passes to me when I make your wonderful dishes.
Oh Nagi and sweet sweet Dozer,
I am sobbing reading this. Sending so much love to you. He will be with you always. They always are. Dozer , wherever you find yourself I hope there are endless beach swims. No cooking ever quite like your mums though. Thank you for sharing your sweet boy with Australia and the far reaches of the world. I know I’ll always enjoy every time I look up one of your recipes and see Dozer that it will always be bring me a smile forever more x
Dogs are the purest thing on this planet, and if you are blessed to have been a companion to one, then you understand how devastating their passing can be. I wish there was a better word than ‘sorry’.
Very sad Nagi ~ losing a loved one is extremely painful however looking at the life they’ve they have been through with you is amazing,!!
Pets are here for a fabulous time but unfortunately a short time xxx
So very sorry to read this Nagi.
Dear Nagi my deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved and beautiful Dozer.
Good dog
Condolences Nagi When one looses one’s adorable pet one cannot realise the sadness one feels!
Remember all the amazing times you had together!
Thinking of you! Time will lesson the grief!
Tears are running down my face. Oh Dozer, we will all miss you. Dogs are with us for such a short time but the buckets of unconditional love and trust they bring is priceless. There can be no better companion, no truer friend. My heart goes out to you Nagi. ❤️
Tears are running down my face. Oh Dozer, we will all miss you. Dogs are with us for such a short time but the buckets of unconditional love and trust they bring is priceless. There can be no better companion, no truer friend. My heart goes out to you Nagi. ❤️
I am generally not an emotional person, but while reading your story I had tears rolling down my cheeks….sending you healing love ….Dozer is and will always be, with you …. Now is the time to spend looking after you…take care xx
We are so sorry you’re going through this. I promise the pain does get easier. We lost our 13 year old girl in late November and I too thought the pain would endure forever. We are still very sad, and still cry, but not as often, and speaking about her gets easier with time. Thinking of you in this really tough time.
Oh Nagi, Dozer was such an icon, we will miss him so so much. My best friend and I would cook from your books every week, and Dozer was such a big part of that for us. We will never forget his warm doggy smile. Sending all my love and condolences ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️