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
Dear Nagi,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved Dozer. He obviously was one of the loves of your life, your spirit animal. You were very blessed. In my experience a person only gets one spirit animal in a life time.
Treasure your memories and let them sustain you.
Sending hugs and love from Canada.
Lynn
Dear Nagi…your final post for Dozer was just beautiful. You have honoured his life and he’s memory will live on in all of us. May he rest in peace and may peace be with you Nagi ❤️🐾
Nagi, te acompaño en tu dolor, sé lo que es perder un amor tan noble e incondicional como él de estos ángeles de cuatro patas. Poco a poco el dolor se calmará pero vivirás con los recuerdos de él
Translation:
Nagi, I share your grief. I know what it’s like to lose such noble and unconditional love as that of these four-legged angels. Little by little, the pain will subside, but you will live with his memories.
When you loose a best friend like Dozer your heart just wants to break. I’m so sad for you but remember we always have to do what’s right for our pets; however much it hurts. I’ve been there too often too. Time helps and then photos around you are always memories to cherish. Take care of yourself. Thinking of you. Xx
My heart is breaking for you. Dozer was the best boy, he was so blessed to have the most amazing dog mum ever in you 🫶 Much love, take care xx
Sorry for your loss Nagi 😞.
RIP Dozer, wherever you are, I hope it’s as comfy and loving as you’ve been used to with Nagi.
There are no words, I can empathise with you and hope your grief helps you over this huge loss. My heart goes out to you.
They leave their paw prints on our hearts forever. Sending love from the UK ❤️ xx 🐾
Nagi,
I am so sorry for your loss. Our furbabies are such a big part of our worlds.💔💔
Sending love and hugs dear Nagi. You were an amazing mumma, bless you. X🐕💙🙏🦋
Dear Nagi,
Sending love and comfort form the other side of Earth (Denmark). Experiencing having a dog to love and who loves you is a very wonderful gift – but the pain when you loos it is devastating <3
This my sound hartless, but you should get a new dog – Dozer would not want you to be alone.
Kind regards,
Lise
Dear Nagi,
I am so deeply sorry about the loss of Dozer.
He meant so much to so many people, and brought so much joy to our lives, but yours first and foremost – so take time to heal. Grief is an ocean, but the more you hurt, the more you realise you cared. You were his everything, the face he looked forward to waking up to, the cook he’d always pester. I’m actually pretty sure he would hold the world record for total number of different dishes consumed by one dog.
And I know you feel that the 14 days of love and care didn’t work out, but it meant the ultimate stability for him before he passed on. You gave him all your love at all hours of the day that at the end of those two weeks he had enough love to comfortably say goodbye.
The RecipeTin community hurts for you, and we’re sending you all our support.
So, so sorry Nagi To have such a big presence in your life no longer there I know is devastating.. You gave him so much love and made him happy for so any years he will be waiting for you….. ❤
Sending you much love and big hugs, Nagi.
May your Darling Dozer rest in peace 🐶🌹🌈💙
My heart goes out to you Nagi. Sending hugs.
So sorry to hear about Dozer. My deepest condolences. Your heart is full of his love for you. Tears will wash your soul as you learn to live a new life with Dozer in spirit beside you.. I have lost 2 GRs, they are truly the most amazing best friends you could ever have. I feel your loss and send heartfelt thoughts to you..
Oh I’m so sorry Nagi💔It is such pain to lose your beloved old mate. He was such a cool dog, so famous & all of your fans & readers will miss him too & wish you deepest condolences. Much love sent your way, stay strong Nagi.xx
The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling
1865 – 1936
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But… you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
There is nothing worse than losing a member of your family all you can do is remember the good times and the love and smiles they brought you RIP Dozer my heart goes out to you Nagi
Such very sad news Nagi. My heartfelt sympathy to you as you endure the painful loss of your dearly loved Dozer xx