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
Sending you lots of love during this sad and difficult time dear Nagi. We have watched and loved Dozer alongside you since the beginning of RTE and will miss him and his antics. I am sure he is frolicking in the waves and enjoying the sun and many ice-creams on the other side of the rainbow bridge xx
Thank you for sharing your boy with the Recipetineats community!
Dog owners everywhere understand your pain, your grief, your loss. Their contribution to our lives differs from the human relationship because we bond through a base level of loyalty and trust.
I cried for three weeks solid and was prone to break down for another three months after my lad died; my boy was my shadow also. But we move on – we learn to remember with love. That was 2009.
My current boy will ultimately leave me (when the time comes) likely as you are now….shattered. It will get better.
Here’s to Dozer ☺️
Dearest Nagi, I’m so sorry for your loss. Dozer is so lucky to have you but you were also very lucky that you experienced the love he was able to share with you. It’s unbreakable and irreplaceable. I wish we have the words to comfort you, but to be honest, nothing can do it. I’ll pray for your strength and comfort as you go through this difficult journey which is painful but only proves that the love between you and Dozer is genuine and superb. Hugs to you Nagi!
RIP. What a wonderful relationship you enjoyed
Dear Nagi, thank you for sharing your wonderful boy with us. Your story with him always kept us in the family loop. It was always delightful but now your news is so sad that his happy life has come to an end.
Wishing you love and hugs to you and the team to get you all through this difficult time.
Donna
Just so sad for you Nagi😪😪😪
Dear Nagi,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve lost your little boy. My heart goes out to you.
Isobel
dearest nagi i feel like i knew you and dozer so well even though we never met my heartfelt warmth and compassion goes out to you your pain will heal but your heart will always have a special place for dozer as our pets become a big part of our life and family
my thoughts are with you and i have shed tears over your post
goodnight dozer
much love
gina from england
So sorry to hear about your beloved Dozer passing away. Awwww Nagi it’s so hard I know. He’s in Rainbow Bridge now with all our fur babies that have passed. That’s what I like to think it makes me feel better and helps me get through it. Memories will keep bringing him back and you will cherish these. Take good care of yourself.
There is no greater love than the love of a dog.
Though his voice is quiet his spirit echoes still.
Love and hugs to you Nagi
I know your pain is beyond words. Take care x
Nagi, my heart breaks with you. Just remember the almost 14 years together. My tears also flow. Xx
RIP sweet Dozer. Sending all my love Nagi xx
So sorry for your loss Nagi.
Dozer was very loved.
My heart is breaking for you.
Rest in peace now Dozer
Sending my sincere condolences to you. I too had tears rolling down my face as I read the final chapter of your dear Dozer. What a wonderful 14 years you had together. I know only too well how you are feeling, . I hope you get strength from all your wonderful followers. RIP Dear Dozerxxx
Dearest Nagi, I completely understand how you must be feeling about “our” dear Dozer. I think we all felt he was a part of our lives as well, no matter where we stay (I’m in Port Elizabeth, South Africa). I too am still grieving from the passing of my beautiful “fur child”, Milo, a female brown and white border collie who also passed away at 14 years, on 10 November 2025. Although she was still full of playfulness and energy up until the day before when we had still gone for our usual walk, for the past 2 years, in the back of my mind, knowing her age, I knew that I had to mentally prepare myself for our inevitable sad day of separation…It was extremely hard to think of this as she was, like my shadow (like “our” Dozer). She was sooo special and precious to me. When I had to make a choice of a puppy, she “chose me” by climbing into my large handbag I had placed on the ground. I’m grateful that she didn’t suffer long like poor Dozer, but on the other hand, I still feel heartsore that I could not be with her when she took her last breath (like I had wanted to do all along….. never leaving her side at that crucial time of her life because she was always there for me). My family say they feel the timing was better for me, knowing how close we were. It was very unexpected, I had to leave early the morning of 10 November for an important booked flight. When giving her my farewell hugs before leaving, I noticed she hadn’t eaten and looked lethargic. I was sooo concerned to leave her in that way, but there was no way I could stay. After my husband dropped me off at the airport he rushed home to find her in a worsened condition…as if in a coma. Thereafter she was rushed to the vet. On arrival there, they found that she had already passed. My husband and children reached a decision not to give me this sad news until I return after my week away as they knew it would have a disastrous affect on my mindset, however, although through our phone calls they tried to make me think Milo was better, my gut told me otherwise. It was one of my l-o-n-g-e-s-t weeks .. I couldn’t wait to get home to Milo. Then I was told the devastating news by my husband on the way home. We both broke down in tears, so much so, that my husband had to stop along the way to regain control to drive. I miss her sooo much. My family have said that I should now start getting another “furry child” but I still find it hard to think of a replacement – she was (like Dozer), 1 in a million. Sending lotssss of hugs and love
Don’t see getting another animal as replacing Milo, see it as giving them a home full of love.
I lost my childhood cat Gemma suddenly and tragically, I didn’t want to replace her. When a little kitten came into my life 12 years ago I rescued her and she has been a light in the dark for me and I have been her person since day 1. Then I found a skinny, lovebug on the side of the freeway and he has been by my side through thick and thin.
They didn’t replace Gemma, Gem put the love of cats in my heart so I could save Luna and Orion. She taught me how to love them, and that the heart can hold so much love. ❤️
Dear Nagì,
Ṯhanks for sharing a small part of Dozers wonderful life ṯogeṯheṟ wiṯh you”
Ṟemember his smiḻing face aṉd his big wide waggy tail,”we do”!
Brave up ,aṉḏ please geṯ back ṯo writiṉg aṉḏ ṟecorḏiṉg ṟecipes ..you know Dozers spirit still needs feeding and I’m sure he is eagerly awaiting his spirit food journey and the bonus is that this journey will last forever!
Thanking you for sharing the love of your life in Dozer and your passion in cooking which we have enjoyed since 2016. Our heartfelt gratitude and condolences to you…. Barry and Paula Jones
Thank you for sharing your grief and loss. My own lovely boy is fast approaching the last year… I understand that love you share with Dozer. You are in my thoughts. xx
Oh Nagi, the tears and the emptiness will remain for a long time. I know. I still miss our girl so much after almost four years and all I can say is that he gave you unconditional love, as our girl did, no judgement, just love by the bucket full. The loss will remain but one day the memories will allow you to smile
Bless xx
I feel your pain Nagi. All
of us, who follow RTE, feel your pain and loss of Dozer. We all love Dozer and we will miss him deeply. This is so heart wrenching.
We can be glad that Dozer came into our lives to enjoy his life with you and that you shared him with us. So we share his loss with you. Our hearts are heavy and hurting with Dozer’s loss. Tears are being shared with you Nagi. I have been through this loss several times with my beloved pets and it is never easy. Our love for Dozer and our own pets cannot be replaced. The love, the fun, the companionship and devotion they have given us, is priceless and is worth the pain that goes with the end of their lives. No other pet can ever replace each one. No other dog can replace Dozer. We have to take time to rest and grieve properly. But work is also good for grief. Then some day, the grief will become tolerable and wonderful memories will remain. Then one day you can add a brother or sister to Dozer’s family and give another dog a happy loving home. It is the process of the short life our beloved pets live. So many pets need someone to love them and you can love another dog that is unique to their personality. We love you Nagi and you are in our prayers.
Beautifully written. What a special boy he was and you know he loved you totally. Nagi, I’ve followed you for a few years now, Dozer has always made me smile and brought me joy, as he did many others. You were the very best mum to him, RIP Dozer and Nagi, it’s one day at a time. Xxxxx