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
Aww I’m so sorry Nagi x
There are no words that will ease the pain you’re feeling. I’ve been in your position and know that your heartbreak feels impossible to get past. Sending hugs and comfort to you. Please take care of yourself.
I am so sorry for your loss, Nagi. Losing a pet really is losing a family member. You gave him an amazing life and you should be proud of that. Sending you love and hugs.
I am so sorry for your loss, I love your recipes and was so happy to find how much you loved and included dozer in your life. I am a dog lover too and they are simply the best.
dear NAGI I AM SO SORRY .YOU HAVE SO MANY HAPPY MEMORIES OF DOZER THAT WILL LIVE ON IN YOUR HEART
I am so sorry for your loss! I hope all the good times and memories of your time with Dozer will be able to comfort you! Love and Prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Oh my goodness, my heart is breaking for you. I love seeing him on your website. We are going through the ending of our last pup and it hurts each day but man, how lucky are we to have that love in our lives!!! Sending hugs.
I’m so sorry, Nagi. Dozer was the most loved and he knew it. You gave him the best life ever.
Love you Nagi ❤️
I am from Canada and I’ve been following you and dozer for a couple of years. I got attached to both of you. My sincere condoleances for your lost, but you have great memories. I had 2 dogs and 1 cat and they all passed away in the same year. So I can relate to your lost. Sending you love from the city of Lavaltrie in Canada.
My condolences. We will all miss Doser. My heart goes out to you, this will be a rough time. Much love surrounds you through it.
I am so so very sorry for your loss of your beloved Dozer. As I write I have tears streaming down my face because you brought Dozer to us and shared your lives together with us. Thank you for sharing that journey.
I wish for you peace in the days to come. Sending lots of love to you.
I am so sorry! Our beloved pets just don’t last long enough. Remember the joy!
Nagi, I have no good words of comfort in this difficult time, but sending love and light from Ireland in the words of John O’Donoghue:
Beannacht
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
Dear Nagi,
My sincere condolences regaring your beloved Dozer.
I work at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland and have lit a candle for him and you of course.
Touch days ahead but he will live in your heart forever until you are both united again.
Take care…x
I am so very sorry for your loss. I understand. Unfortunately I have had to say good by to many of my dogs over the years. I am 75 now. My first dog was a golden retriever named Randy. Prayers and hugs, Linda
To our darling Nagi & RTE/RTM family,
While not Hawaiian myself, there are many of their ways that I appreciate. You were Dozer’s Kahu. And how wonderfully you filled that role.
I strongly believe that when our beloved furry family members leave us, it’s just temporary. Meaning one day we will see them again. While it’s been many year since my own dogs have passed, and I do not look forward to ever letting go of my current fur babies, I find solace in knowing that they will greet me with the same enthusiasm they all always have when my time comes.
So to that end, the Hawaiians also say “A hui hou”. So, dear Nagi, until you and Dozer meet again, may you find comfort in the care of this global community that shared in your love of Dozer.
He didn’t have to have the gift of speech, he showed you his love and you returned the same love.
The squishiest of hugs – Minnie, Daryl, Max & Rupert.
Love your comment ❤️
So difficult to read your last days with Dozer. I lost my 12 year old -water dog – Marmite, just in December – my best friend.
The hardest part by far is saying goodbye.
From having the greatest love comes the greatest pain.
xx
Though the time with any pet is never long enough, it must be one of the most beautiful times of your life.
❤️❤️❤️
NAGI, I have repeatedly requested copies of your recipes but not received any.a massive request please send to this address’ GLENASHLEY8O@GMAIL.COM LOWER CASE.