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 have loved all your postings about Dozer. I think i fell in love wth those first. Then i started making all your recipes and loved those too. So i have been a fan for awhile. My heart breaks for you. Dozer was your whole family. When My Meggie died I had another dog but i can tell you the best thing i did was get a puppy quickly. It helped me to go on and want to live again.
I also bought a bracelet that i never take off with a tiny heart so her heart is always close to mine. I hope these ideas help
you. Dogs make life worth living, they just don’t live long enough. Take care
Bari
Love & prayers your way!💕💕💕
You were a Blessing to Dozer,
as He to You! Thanks for sharing all the fun post. We have another dog Angel🥰
I’m so sorry for your loss. My sweet 13 year old golden retriever passed away 2 weeks ago. Their time with us is never enough
Love & prayers your way!💕💕💕
You were a Blessing to Dozer,
as He to You! Thanks for sharing all the fun post. We have another dog Angel🥰
I see you and Dozer everyday in your recipe book, he will always be remembered fondly.
I am the mom of 2 mini dachshunds and your recipes and Dozer are what initially had my following you. It is with profound sorry that I write to say how sorry I am for your loss.
Dear Nagi,
My deepest condolenses for the loss of beautiful Dozer.
i have tears streaming down my face reading your beautiful letter.
we will all miss him but I can’t imagine the sadness and loss you feel.
You did all you could for him.
our pets choose the right time to go.
He will always be near in spirit.
we felt our beautiful Stryker around us for weeks after he passed.
All my love you Nagi and your team. Xxxxx
Beautiful words to your special boi Nagi, you were such a great Mum to Dozer and he was very lucky to have you too. You both gave each other the bestest life xox
My eyes are filled with tears as I text this. You and Dozer have brought us so much joy throughout the years. As an animal lover, I thank you for sharing him with us. I am so sorry for your loss.
My condolences Nagi. I lost my beautiful Golden Retriever, Max, 13 years old in 2013. I feel the pain. It’s tough going through the grief but it becomes easier as time goes on. I hope one day you can get another doggy, not to take Dozers place, but there are lots of dogs out there that have lots of love to give. I now have 2 rescue doggies. A greyhound and a pug x from the RSPCA. I just love them to bits. Take care.
My heart goes out to you Nagi, iam so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved and wonderful Dozer. May all the happy memories of life with Dozer be with you always.
Mum……I was just a pup when we first met, I loved you from the start, you picked me up and took me home and placed me in your heart.
Good times we had together, we shared all life could throw, but years passed all too quickly, my time has come to go.
I know how much you miss me, I know your heart is sore, I see the tears that fall when I’m not waiting at the door.
You always did your best for me. Your love was plain to see, for even though it broke your heart you set my spirit free.
So please be brave without me, one day we’ll meet once more for when you’re called to heaven I’ll be waiting at the door.
That’s so beautiful Jane
Thank you for sharing your heart with me and so many others. I am sorry for your loss. 🥹❤️
I am so so sorry for your loss. I lost my cat Scouser in September after 17 years. I know it feels like you’ll never stop crying right now, but you will, and you will always have Dozer’ memories in your heart.
The deeper the love, the harder the grief. The love obviously went both ways. He’ll always be with you in your heart. Be grateful for that and in time, don’t be afraid to save another rescue, he would want that! Hugs, Been there, done that! Kathleen
so so sad – fly like an eagle Dozer.
all my heart goes out to you
There’s no words that can convey the depth of the hearts ache when you have to say goodbye to a loved one but oh the joy of the love you’ve shared!
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Nagi.
We may only have them for part of our lives, but they have us for all of theirs. That’s worth everything to them. To be there with them when it’s time to go is your last gift to them.
So much love to you xxxx
Wishing you much love, hugs and happy doggy dreams to take you away from this awful grief even just for a short time. 14 years of living his best life, because of the love you have for each other.