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 your final words to Dozer were raw and beautiful. Our hearts break but know your memories of Dozer will always be with you in your heart and your mind. RIP DOZER
RIP To The goodest good boy in all of Australia ❤🐾
Nagi, I’m so sorry for your loss of Dozer. It has been such a joy to read about him in your recipes<3 🐾
My heart goes out to you at this sad time. I’ve had to say goodbye to 4 wonderful fur babies throughout my life, with my last being 18.5 years young. Unfortunately the heartbreak doesn’t ease for some time, even years in my case, but I take joy in knowing that fur babies go to heaven to be with the Lord, free of pain, full of happiness, love and life.
Don’t be in a rush to get another one – go through the grieving and healing process. If the time is right, you’ll know, and if not, don’t rush it.
All your readers and followers are thinking of you. Take the time you need and recoup!
All our love and hugs,
Faith
My heartfelt condolences for the loss of Dozer. I have a deaf and blind 17 year old silky – I not when that day comes,how it is going to be for me. But I know the times I spend with her would be beautiful memories. I am sure the times you shared with Dozer will be cherished. Take care 🙂
So sorry to hear of Dozer’s passing. I have had to say goodbye to too many dogs over my life … it never gets any easier, however their spirits stay with us for ever. The love of a dog is pure and unconditional and I find it unsurprising that God and Dog are the same word viewed from different directions. Sweet peace to you Dozer.
I am so sorry Nagi. I lost my dog in January last year and I was so devastated. I am feeling your pain. Sending the biggest hug from one of your many fans!! 😢❤️
Clicking on this website for this weeks recipe inspirations and my heart sank as soon as I saw this. I’m so sorry for your loss and can’t imagine the pain of losing your fur baby. This is the day all dog owners dread, i’m hugging my little guy a little tighter today. So sorry Nagi xx
Nagi I’m so sorry for your loss and I am so deeply saddened to read this. Dozer brought so much joy to all your readers and I thank you for sharing his life with us. Lots of hugs
Nagi my heart aches for you. I burst into tears seeing this. He was THE BEST. Oh I wish I could hug you. Words just are not enough, he will forever have a legacy with you and recipe tin eats. His memory will live on through all our cooking. Biggest love to you. xxxxxxx
Hugs to you, Nagi, because words are so very inadequate. I cried when I got the message of Dozer’s death. You, and Dozer, have captured the hearts of so many. What a gift you are, and what a gift Dozer was. The emptiness will continue for awhile…I know. I, too, lost my “daughter-dog”; but one day it will lessen and the grief will mellow to a gentle ache when the reminders come. I send you my warmest thoughts.
Hugs to you, Nagi, because words are so very inadequate. I cried when I got the message of Dozer’s death. You, and Dozer, have captured the hearts of so many. What a gift you are, and what a gift Dozer was. The emptiness will continue for awhile…I know. I, too, lost my “daughter-dog”; but one day it will lessen and the grief will mellow to a gentle ache when the reminders come. I send you my warmest thoughts.
Nagi I’m so sorry for your loss. I couldn’t read your beautiful love letter to Dozer through the tears that came from the first line. I feel your pain and know how hard it is to grieve the loss of your soul dog. In Arabic the word for dog (kalb) is almost the same as the word for heart (qalb) ❤️ – our dogs steal our hearts and we hold them forever in our hearts xx
So very sorry to hear about Dozer’s passing. Thinking of you with kind thoughts & prayers…
There is nothing tougher than losing a trusted pal but your message says it all. My deepest sympathies.
He’ll be greatly missed. Thank you for sharing him with us. It’s been both a privilege and a blessing.
I am so sorry for your loss. Goldens know how to become a big part of our lives. Their unconditional love and their wonderful personalities are part of what make them so dear. I decided, after the loss of my first darling Golden, that I loved the breed too much to move to a breed that was longer lived. I love their goofy side, their mischievous side, all their sides, top and bottom. What a marvelous family member they are. I feel your pain; I’ve experienced it before and will again. I will not give up my adoration for these wonderful, sparkling personalities, caring, and fabulous pups. I hope you can soon look at Dozer’s pictures without crying, but still with love and fulfillment. My best wishes are with you.
Dear Nagi –
“All dog stories begin with laughter and end in tears.”
– Robert Genn
I came across this quote shortly after losing my own dog, Moose, and it struck me as heartbreakingly true. I am so sorry for your loss, but I also know that you would never trade the joy, the challenges, or the countless small moments you shared with Dozer for anything in the world.
Watching him grow from a spirited puppy into your loyal companion was such a beautiful testament to the bond you shared, and I feel truly grateful to have witnessed that love.
I know how deep your pain must be right now—this is the hardest part. But please remember, the love you gave and the love he returned will never fade.
RIP Dozer💔
I’m so sorry for your loss, Nagi. Sending love ♥️
I’m devastated by your words and your sorrow at the loss of your beautiful boy. I pray that you are able to heal in time, but that said, I believe I’ve never fully recovered from the loss of my Golden, Midas. In all these years there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thought of him, but eventually, the joy of our love overcame the sorrow of our loss. I wish you a very great abundance of peace. Losing your best buddy is the price we pay for so much love!
I am so incredibly sorry about dozer
If I can do anything please let me know