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 am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Dozer. Losing a pet is never easy, I know. When I had to put my cat to sleep it was one of the worst days of my whole entire life. I was absolutely devastated, it didn’t seem real. But gradually, with time, I healed. You will too, even if it doesn’t seem possible right now. For Dozer to have had such a long happy life was a blessing. A lot of dogs don’t live to be Dozer’s age, so that was a blessing for you both. And remember, saying goodbye to Dozer, though painful, was not a forever goodbye – it’s ’til you meet again.’ And I have no doubt he’ll be waiting for you. For now, rest in peace, sweet Dozer. You were loved by all. 💕
I read your story about Dozer, its so sad. I remember seeing him on tv with you. Pets give us so much love and get us through life’s challenges. Thinking of you Nagi, in this tough time 😢
😢 but soo much love. Never ever forgotten.
I am so sad to hear this news.
Dozer was a beautiful boy and he brought joy to so many people. He will be greatly missed. Thinking of you Nagi and sending love. xx
You should be so proud that your beautiful boy fought so hard because he loved you so much. You gave him the best life. Take care.
Awwwww Ngai,my heart goes out to you. So so difficult to lose a loved pet. I know I’ve been there. Hugs and love to you. Dozer was certainly a well loved and beautiful friend.
Nagi, the heart felt loss is so very hard. I struggled when I had to say goodbye to my girl Dotty. She loved me and was with me for 20 years. Yes 20. Our final goodbye was incredible. Dotty knew what I was feeling and she reassured me.
There’s a chap in the UK who is an incredible k9 artist, I contacted him and commissioned a stunning portrait of Dotty. It’s just beautiful and helps me every time I look at it. His name is Paul Doyle, if you want to contact him let me know, I will be happy to pass that info on to you.
Love and more love
Sue
My heart is with you. The love you shared with Dozer was so deep, so visible, and so pure and that kind of love doesn’t disappear when a body does. It changes form. It lingers in habits, in quiet moments, in the way your heart still reaches for him without thinking.
Please know this: it doesn’t get easy, but it does become manageable. Some days will feel calm, and others will rush in and crash all at once. When that happens, it’s okay. Grief has no schedule, no right or wrong shape. However it shows up is valid.
Dozer would want his mama to smile again not because he mattered any less, but because he mattered so much. And while he may not be there physically, I truly believe he’s still walking beside you spiritually, in every place love once lived.
Until you meet again, may he be somewhere soft and warm, with unlimited frozen ice cubes, endless head rubs, and all the joy he ever knew with you. And may you be wrapped in arms of love here, held gently through every wave of this journey. “ Somewhere beyond the ache and tears,
Beyond the weight of missing years,
A loyal heart still waits above—
With wagging tail and endless love.
Until we meet, run wild and free,
And save a place in heaven for me.”
Hoping that the sad raw days ahead pass as quickly as possible, even though it feels that isn’t possible. You boy would definitely want that for you….. and he will forever be in your minds eye. 💜
Nagi, Dozer had the best life with you as his mum and you very much went to the end of the earth for him, he was everything to you and you were everything to him and I truly believe spiritually he ain’t going nowhere, every minute of every day he is right there next to you. We all loved Dozer and will miss him very much ♥️♥️♥️
Dear Nagi,
Very sorry about your loss..😢
Now, Dozer really knows how much YOU really loved him.
He was very lucky to have you. Can’t think, know of anyone who was/is as devoted as yourself.
You were the best!
Perhaps too much, but we know how big of a heart ❤️ you have!
You’ve done everything imaginable.
Will miss your creative interactions with Dozer,
But it was time to move on.
God will get you through this.
Please keep the faith and trust in him.
Love you,
Robin
I will truly miss Dozer, what a wonderful boy. Wishing you all the best, and all the time you need to rest and recover from such a tough time. Sending all my love from California <3
So sorry to hear about Dozer. Remember what a good life you both had together. You will never firget him! I have a poem I found when my dog died a few years ago. Not sure how to get it to you..but it helped me when my wonderful Shiraz died.
Dear Nagi I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
.He gave us such joy I will miss him also
.The main thing now is knowing that he is not suffering.
I love you Nagi and I am praying for you.
So sorry to hear of his passing. Saying goodbye to our fur babies is never easy. He is surely over the rainbow frolicking with all of our beloved pups and feeling no pain, eating all the goodies and looking down letting you know he’s okay. Say hello to my Sebastian while you are up there.
Tears are streaming, I can’t even imagine the heartbreak you are going through. Dozer knew you had the most amazing love and bond, you gave him the most amazing pupp life x
I’m so sorry Nagi, sending hugs.
It hurt my heart reading this. So sorry for your loss 😔 💔
Nagi I am so sorry for your loss. I’m glad you have so many beautiful memories of Dozer that will be with you forever.
Hugs to you.
I feel with you Nagi! Thank you for sharing Dozer with us. Many of the posts made me smile and laugh! And very much brightened up my day. Sending you strength for this difficult time and a big hug from Austria! Rebecca