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Home Dozer

In memory of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,776 Comments
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Published9 Feb '26 Updated2 Mar '26

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.

Dozer Nagi at Bayview May 2022

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!

Nagi and Dozer on Studio 10 Channel 10 cookbook publicity tour
Nagi-Dozer-Roundhouse-Crystalbrook-Newcastle-photos-by-Megan-Evans-Photography-5

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

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4,776 Comments

  1. Fran Wright says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:12 am

    thank you Nagi for all the years of sharing Dozer with us we all had such lovely moments together and I with so so many people world wide not just Australia will miss him

    Reply
  2. Mary-Anne says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:11 am

    Dearest Nagi, thank you for sharing Dozer with us. He really was a special being. So sorry for your devastating loss. xxxx

    Reply
  3. Julie says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:11 am

    Thank you for sharing Dozers life with us Nagi.you where blessed to have been there from the beginning of his life & holding him to say goodbye😔

    Reply
  4. Libby says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:09 am

    So sorry to hear such sad news about your wonderful Dozer who brought such joy to you and all your readers. Such a terrible loss for you and I send my deepest sympathy as you navigate the depths of loss and mourning.

    Reply
  5. Noeline Brannigan says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:09 am

    😢😭

    Reply
  6. Adam Lopez says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:09 am

    Tears are running down my face. Dozer is waiting for you at Heaven’s Gates!

    Reply
  7. Jo-Ann says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:09 am

    My thoughts are with you. I suggest that when you feel you can read the poem Rainbow Bridge as it helped me when I was in a similar position when our dogs died, it helped.

    Reply
  8. Kathy says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:08 am

    My heart is broken.

    Reply
  9. Helen Southwell says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:07 am

    Big hugs from all our family to yours and have a big rest now Dozer, you beautiful boy 🐾🌈

    Reply
  10. Jackie Occhipinti says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:06 am

    Dear sweet Nagi, thank you for sharing your life with Dozer, with us all. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss and take comfort in knowing that you both did the best you could. Take care of yourself as your beautiful memories of dozer with time, will be of comfort to you. Xox

    Reply
  11. Julie says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:04 am

    So sorry. My heart is breaking for you.

    Reply
  12. Kerry says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:03 am

    There is no greater friendship than one who holds both your love and your soul. We are all blessed to have known Dozer. Thanks to you. Bless you untold in the coming days and weeks ahead.

    Reply
    • Fay Atkinson says

      February 10, 2026 at 10:02 am

      Dear Nagi, I am so sad for you. Dozer will always be with you in your heart and memories and that will never change. Stay strong.

      Reply
  13. Maria Psiahos says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:03 am

    My heart aches for you as my eyes are filled with tears streaming down my face. Thank you for sharing Dozer with us.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  14. Drew Gamble says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:02 am

    There’s nothing I can say that hasn’t been said, we all loved following beautiful Dozer and his antics, and the fun you and he brought into lives around the world, he was so lucky that you were his mum. He is always there with you. Sleep well Dozer.

    Reply
  15. Bonnie says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:02 am

    Dearest Nagi thank you for sharing the beautiful Dozer with us. My utmost sympathy to you at this profoundly sad time. Take plenty of time to look after you. We have all learnt a great deal from you about love. Know that we all love you & understand your pain. RIP Darling Dozer. xxxxxx

    Reply
  16. Alison Goldzieher says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:01 am

    Thinking of you, Nagi, as you navigate this tumultuous grieving process. Julia Samuel’s books, podcast and her pillars of strength, have been very helpful for me and others. She is a grief psychotherapist and I highly recommend her work. Remembering your beautiful Dozer with you. 🌻

    Reply
  17. lynne GAINSFORD says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:00 am

    Dear Nagi. Meeting Doser via your site was lovely; the way you shared him with all your readers.. I had tears reading about his last days. I understand the deep sadness you are feeling and am sending you so much strength and love. Lynne from South Africa.

    Reply
  18. Sandy Pruneski says

    February 10, 2026 at 9:00 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful dog and lived a long life even tho we think it’s never long enough. He was blessed to have a wonderful mom like you.

    Reply
  19. Linda Johnson says

    February 10, 2026 at 8:59 am

    I know from personal experiences how much this hurts. Sending cyberhugs and healing vibes.

    Reply
  20. Janelle says

    February 10, 2026 at 8:57 am

    Nagi I am so sorry for your loss. You were a great mum to Dozer and he had a wonderful, extraordinary life with you. X

    Reply
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