I’ve cried a thousand tears and there’s a million more to come.
Almost a fortnight ago, Dozer was hospitalised at SASH with a double lung infection (pneumonia). If he was a spritely young chap, it probably wouldn’t be a big deal. But he’s 13.9 years old, with other medical conditions, and with that comes the reality that is the circle of life.
The initial prognosis was dire, and he went downhill worryingly fast. But my boy is a fighter. Against all odds, he improved, his lungs showed some healing and his vitals were strong. He worked hard on physical rehab and was even discharged on the weekend ………
…….only to be back in ICU a mere 2 hours later with complications. Discharged again….then back in ICU again 10 hours later.
We’re in the final chapter of Life of Dozer and we all know how the story will end. But before we get to the final page, it is my greatest hope that Dozer can come home in good enough condition to have some time to do the things he loves the most – spending time with his favourite people, scavenging around the table, playing with friends at the beach.
And being by my side, 24/7. All the neck rubs in the world. All the hugs, all the kisses, all the pats.
So for the next little while, I will be taking time away from work. JB and my brother Goh are taking charge of both RTE and RTM (our food bank). JB is going to start sharing new recipes and bring some much needed cheer to this website. Hopefully one a week, if he can manage it with the extra business operations responsibilities he’s taken on. He’s been dropping off recipe samples to me at ICU, which I appreciate greatly, even if eating French delicacies next to beeping machines feels slightly surreal.
I can’t promise to share Dozer updates on all his recipes – to be frank, it depends how Dozer is going – but you’ll see some interesting insights into how JB and I work together on recipes remotely. 🙂
Thank you for all the years of love you’ve shown Dozer, for sharing your own fur baby stories, and for making him feel so deeply adored far beyond our little world. I hope to be able to share some more light hearted Life of Dozer tales for the next little while.
Love – Nagi x
Update: I am brokenhearted to share that he didn’t make it. See the Dozer Tribute post here.
Life of Dozer
In honour of the joy Dozer has brought to this website over the years, I can’t finish this post without bringing some cheer to the Life of Dozer section. 🙂 Here he is eating an ice pop – literally just plain ice. It’s his absolute favourite treat these days! Funny how much the bar drops when you’re in hospital, gourmet expectations reduced to frozen tap water and he’s living his best life. ❤️
So sorry to hear! Wishing you both peace. XX
I am so sorry Nagi, wishing you a lot of quality time with your boy x
❤️
Nagi, my heart aches for you and Dozer. I recently lost my life companion and best friend and kitchen companion after 15 years of love that we shared together. Lola was an 80kg Dogue de Bordeaux, 80 kg of pure love with an appetite to match, always hoping that what I was cooking would suddenly fall into her mouth. I grieve for you and Dozer because I also have tasted the sadness of loss
Big love to you & Dozer. He has been admired & loved by my whole family for as long as I’ve been cooking your recipes – literally years and years, well longer than my 7 year old has been alive! We lost a beautiful 15.5 year old choccy lab 15 months ago & empathise so much – he is family, as much as any human. May you enjoy whatever time you have left & rejoice in the many happy memories of adventures, cuddles & stolen morsels, big & small. x
Been following you for quite some time now and is sad to see Dozer this way. I’ll always remember him as he was in his stronger years. Sending love and prayers to the both of you! ♥️
Love your recipes. I gave your book to my daughter as a Christmas present. Should’ve bought myself one.
So very very sorry .love to you and Dozer . My heart goes out to you .
My heart goes out to you and Dozer, always in my prayers. ♥️🙏🐕
Nagi, I’m so sorry. Loosing a loved one or preparing yourself for that loss is the hardest thing we ever do as humans. Grief really is the price we pay for love, and I’m so deeply sorry for your heartbreak. Thank you for your endless generosity. Dozer had the best mum.
Dear Nagi and Dozer
Sending you both endless hugs and love and strength 😘
Ohh beautiful Dozer you have been in my thoughts…….Nagi I am in awe oh how wonderful you have been to Dozer……Goldens are the best xxxxxx
Until you meet again, Heaven is a beautiful place for Dozer to be, watching over you and all the people he loved♥️
I’m so grateful for you sharing so many Dozer moments throughout the years — times that made us smile, laugh, and sometimes cry, as so many of us are doing reading your post today. Together you two have touched so many lives! Much strength, comfort and love to you both during this difficult stage.
Dozer is such a lucky boy to have lived life with you ❤️ Watching the adventures of Dozer convinced me that we needed a Goldie in our lives too! Love and strength to you both 🌹🌹
Dozer is such a lucky boy to have lived life with you ❤️ Watching the adventures of Dozer convinced me that we needed a Goldie in our lives too! Love and care to you both 🌹🌹
My heart goes out to you and Dozer, big hugs xx
Dear Nagi
I wanted to add my voice to the many who have loved watching Dozer and his adventures over the many years we have followed you. My heart is with you both as you spend Dozer’s final chapter together. Dogs bring us years and years of absolute joy and then a few very bad days. The absolute joy they bring is worth it for the heartbreak that happens when we inevitably outlive them. I have an older dog of similar age to Dozer and dread the final bit. Wishing you lots of love and strength.
I love how you have involve Dozer into all of our lives along with your amazing recipes. I really feel for you and hope you enjoy the rest of his time forever together. 😇🙏💞
Im so very sorry for your loss life is cruel thinking of you and now Dozer isn’t in any pain.
Take care
Brenda and Lola