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
I’m so so very sorry Nagi. I feel your pain and am grieving with you.
Dogs give us unconditional love until the last beat of their hearts.
Grief is love with nowhere to go.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Take care
Oh Nagi. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Recipe tin eats will not be the same without him. I will miss him so much. I’m crying with you.
My heart goes out to you for your loss. Dozer was a joy to follow and you were so lucky to have each other for as long as you did. Big hugs to you!
So sad, Nagi, that your beloved dog passed away.
Much love, Caroline
There are few things in life harder than having to say good-bye to our furry family members. I am very sorry for your loss of Dozer. He’s waiting for you at The Rainbow Bridge. One day, he’ll run to see you again. Hold tight and keep the faith.
So Sorry for your loss. I loved your pictures and stories of him in your posts and feel I personally know him as well. You loved Dozer as much as he loved you. May all the happy times you had together sustain you at this time.
You lived him unconditionally, just as he loved you. I know your heart is breaking but remember the good times, the golden feelings and the love. Hold it in your heart as you remember him
So so sorry nagi…tears are running down my husband and my faces too…sending love
I am so sorry for the loss of your darling Dozer, Think of your tears as a form of leaky love for your precious boy. Catherine x
Nagi. I read your post through tears too, I’ve been there and believe and trust me, one never forgets. The pain will fade and one day in the future you will be ready to give and receive love from another fur baby. I have, but your beautiful post made me remember my babies gone. I could even smell their smell again . My love goes to you and I understand where you are. I pray the wonderful memories you have of beautiful Dozer will give you strength and one day he will send another doggy to love. Not now, not even soon, but one day ♥️.
Dear Nagi,
I don’t have words. Thank you for sharing your boy with the world. He will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts 😪💔
Take your time Nagi. Little steps at the moment. And know that a whole lot of love is still coming your way.
Holding you in my heart Nagi, so sorry about Dozer. Sending lots of love
So sorry for your loss Nagi, Dozer was an amazing dog that brought joy to us all. Run free, my friend. Lots of Love Suzan
Hi Ngai,
So feel your pain. Like a lot of people who have contacted you we lost our last dog a year ago at 14. He was a rescue and had no love for the first 8 years of his life and was a black Lab. When he came to us we called him Rex as he was … and did … live like a king for the next 6 years. It’s our 3rd in this house and everyone is different and so loveable. When the time is right I look forward to your new dog.
Fe ❤️
♥️
Dear Nagi, as a non cook, you helped me cook again, to see it’s possible. I too am devastated about your loss of beautiful Dozer. Devastated as it brings up the painful memories of losing very cherished dogs of my own. It took me 3 years to get over the loss of my Rhodesian Ridgeback, now I look back and realise I should have got my very loved Dachshund earlier. So much love and joy.
Oh, my dear Nagi. There are no words in the world, other than the ones you said — and you said it so very well. You described a dog’s love perfectly. We all weep with you.
Oh Nagi, heartbroken for you. This is so hard and your love was there in every single post about your beloved Dozer. They take a huge piece of your heart with them. Here’s to the love and memories you and we all have for our four legged angels that reduces us to tears as a sign of how much they meant to us. ‘ May every wave of grief bring you closer to the shore’. Much love from NZ, take care of yourself xxx
Beautiful and heartfelt! 💕 My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time of losing your boy. Take time to heal.
Oh Nagi,
I am so sorry for your loss. I went through a lot of tissues reading this email. I have lost 3 beautiful
Dogs and it doesn’t get easier. You have a lot of beautiful memories, they are there always. God bless you. Carmen 🙏🦴