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’m sorry about Dozer.
Dozer had the best momma ever. My heart is aching for you, Nagi.
Love and a million hugs. 😔
Sharing your love and home with a pet is one of the most human things you can do. Farewell, Dozer. You were the BEST boy!
Very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for sharing the Life of Dozer over the years. Such a beautiful and much loved pup.
Thank you for all the joy that you have shared with Dozer. I’ve never cried so quickly reading anything; this is a pain that I also fear and am ill prepared for. May Dozer rest in peace and I hope you are doing better every day.
Once Dozer crosses the Rainbow Bridge, He will sit, stay. He will wait to see your face. As you approach his tail will wag as you know so well. You will join once more.
I’ve been active in Doberman rescue for approaching 40 years, My pack is waiting for me there. I can tell you will understand exactly what I mean..
But Kl
Lynn is right. When a hole this large is left in your heart it needs to be filled.
My message to you? Every Home needs a Dog and every Dog needs a Home.
grieve Dozer well
know you will see and be with your boy again
he is waiting with family and friends on the Rainbow Bridge where love forever lives
Has there ever been a dog more well loved than Dozer? Never! Thousands of people love him, and always will, including me.
I hope his spirit will lead you to a new doggie friend sooner than later, though.
When my beloved Cairn Terrier, Zorro died, I waited 9 long months before bringing a new pup home. That night when I went outside to wish on the first star and send my prayers for Zorro skyward (as I did every night) and to tell him about the new puppy, I felt how happy he was for me and the new puppy, and in my heart I heard him ask,“Now, maybe you can let me go?”
All this time that I was grieving his loss, I was actually holding him back with my grief because he couldn’t and wouldn’t move on until I had another puppy to share my heart with.
Lesson learned: my grief held him captive, sharing my love with a new puppy set him free. And it also started the serious healing of losing Zorro in my life.
Nagi, I hope you don’t wait too long to give a new pup your love. It may help your heart heal and, who knows, it may help Dozer on the other side, too. But, I do know for a fact, any puppy that gets to share his or her life with you, is one lucky dog. And, I think Dozer would agree…
what a beautiful comment.
I to have felt the pain on more than one occasion, but never stopped from loving another and giving another one all my love.
Oh my Nagi im so sorry i have a dog and its hard to imagine what id do without her rip dozer
Nagi, I’m so very sorry for your loss… It has been so sweet seeing the mentions of Dozer in your posts all these years.
You gave him the best life he could have had with all that love, right up to the very end. Please take care of yourself, grief can very hard on a person.
Big hugs from Singapore, from an internet stranger reading this sad news.
I am so sorry to hear of Dozer’s demise, These critters get into our hearts and leave a great big hole when they leave, They say that time heals all wounds. I hope that your wounds heal quickly ec=ven though Dozer will never be forgotten.
Hugs
Pete
Ohhh Nagi I’m reading this sobbing 😭 I really hope you are doing okay and I know how hard it is to say goodbye to your fur baby! Sending big hugs 🩷
It so hard losing a loving pet ( child) of your heart his memories live with you forever I’m sorry for your loss
My heart resonates with what you have been through …so similar to our loss … when such an incredibly special dog becomes part of your soul it’s hard to describe the sense of loss. There are no words …. Hope time helps heal your heart … blessings and prayers …
Sending lots of love.
I know the heartache of losing a beautiful dog. I love Dozer and will miss him too. Love to you, Nagi, look after yourself. You have brought a lot of joy to my family with your incredible recipes and your updates about Dozer
I am so sorry to hear that Dozer passed away. Thank you for sharing stories of him over the years. It was always fun to come across that gorgeous furry face when looking for another great recipe. I hope you are able to find comfort in your memories of the blessed, lovely boy that was Dozer.
🌈🐶 Rest In Peace Dozer, hope you meet my wonderful boy Bud, gave us 14 1/2years of unadulterated love and like you Nagi, is so very much missed still 💕🐶💕
Nagi so sorry to hear you have lost your gorgeous soul mate. I have loved following him with your recipes but he had a beautiful life and could not have been loved more by you and all your followers. It’s heart breaking but it’s life and we still need your recipes. RIP gorgeous Dozer
Nagi so sorry to hear you have lost your gorgeous soul mate. I have loved following him with your recipes but he had a beautiful life and could not have been loved more by you and all your followers. It’s heart breaking but it’s life and we still need your recipes. RIP gorgeous Dozer