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
Dearest Nagi
What beautiful words for your beloved companion. So sorry for your loss, but what a lovely life Dozer had with you for a mum.
Kind regards
Jeanette Durant
Dear Nagi, I’ve been following you since the beginning and loving your recipes and gorgeous fur baby. Totally crying so many tears for your loss. I hope you can be comforted by knowing you gave Dozer the best life ever with so much love! Thinking of you at this very difficult time. Xxx
Deepest condolences Nagi. Dozer is now in doggie heaven looking after you and thanking the special life he had. Love from Toronto
😢 so so sorry 🎈💕
Dear Nagi, I am beyond sad to learn of Dozier’s passing…what a wonderful life and love you shared together! Remember that energy and matter can’t be created nor destroyed, so Dozier’s energy will live on even after death. He is waiting to be with you again…love never dies. Hugs and love.
THank you Nagi for your beautiful post on Dozer, loved it. And for the lovely recipes in your two books. Cheers David.
Heartfelt condolences Nagi. And thank you for sharing Dozer with all of us. One day you will look at photos without tears, and another day, much further away, you will be re-united with him forever
Dearest Nagi, so, so very sorry for the loss of Dozer. He is now in no more pain. You are correct, you will one day look at photos of the past without the tears, but it will take a long while. Take care of yourself. Time will heal the anguish. LOL Rosalia
What a moving tribute, dear Nagi. I’m so very sorry you’ve lost your beautiful Dozer. We’ll all miss him. My heart goes out to you.
Dear Nagi , oh my god I feel like I know you and much loved Dozer personally , it is such a heartbreaking time as I have been through the same situation as a older person there have been many a time I have had to deal with this terrible almost unbearable grief, you were so fortunate to have each other in your life lives , sending you strength and enormous love at this time Susan 💝💜🐾
Nagi – as I read your final post for Dozer – the tears are streaming down my face for you and the loss of your fur baby. When we loose them, that is always so very, very hard. Because, all they had to give – they gave to us – and that is unconditional love.
Sending loving, healing and caring prayers to you. I know you will get thru this – I have numerous times over my 77 years when I have lost a precious fur baby; but it’s still so very hard each time we loose a precious fur baby. Love you Nagi.
Nagi – I am so so sorry for your loss – we will miss Dozer but he will always be with you lots of love 💔
I am so sorry Nagi for the heartbreaking loss of Dozer as a lot of us most likely know the pain you are going through.
When It’s time for another one Dozer will be with you as that is I am sure he would want for you to love another so please that will certainly help you but Dozer will always be with you.
Much love to you and Dozer now has his wings 💔🪽🪽
Sorry for your loss. Losing our loved dogs is so hard. Dozer was fortunate to not only be loved by you but so many people. Thinking of you.
Thank you for sharing Dozer with us, so sorry for your loss 💔 I shall miss him too
Hi Nagi, I have been a long time follower of ur blog, but I’m usually not one to leave comments on anything (I mean anything, not just ur blog). But I wanted to reach out and let u know that even from across the globe from u in Texas, I have loved Dozer and enjoyed seeing snippets of ur relationship with him. The Life of Dozer section was always the one I jumped to look at first, even before the recipes. My heart aches for u. I never thought I’d cry over someone else’s pet, but he truly was a special pup to have been loved by so many people around the world. I’m a pet-mom myself and my oldest girl is 15, and I know the time is coming eventually to let her go. I want to share with u a quote that comforts me when I think of that approaching time, and I hope it comforts u too. It is said that Martin Luther once said to his dog, “Be thou comforted, little dog, Thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail”. I picture Dozer in whatever doggie heaven there may be, running around a beach and jumping in the ocean with an extra “golden” golden tail, and that is a picture to hold on to. He is not in any pain or discomfort anymore. The ravages of age and illness is past and he is at peace. He will not be forgotten. I hope this brings u peace.
Dearest Nagi: I am so sorry Dozer is gone. He will live on in your heart and the many wonderful memories of your almost 14 years together. Sending hugs and lots of love, Debbie (a dog person)
We will all miss Dozer, Nagi, none more than you, his lifelong buddy. Thank you for sharing him.
Dear Nagi
Although I don’t know you, I have always enjoyed your Dozer highlights. There are no words but, perhaps it will help to know we are keeping you in our thoughts during this time.
Karin
Crying too. For the beautiful joy and love that Dozer gave to you, and to all. For all the times we say our final goodbyes to those with whom we have shared that same joy and love.