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
Your tributes and love of Dozer are incredibly beautiful. Dozer was a beautiful wonderful boy, in a home of joy and love. I am so very sorry for your goodbye of forever sleep to him.
I’ve lost my best friends twice in four years; it never stops hurting, but we learn to turn the pain into ”good” for others’ benefit. Jasper looks ready to step up in loving memory of Dozer. 🫶💛
There is no love like the love of a dog, it is unconditional and extremely good for the moral and the well being of the owner, family and friends.
Sorry for typo…welcome to Jaffle
Dear Nagi…how my heart hurts for you. I know this pain well. I only just found out about Dozer as I was catching up on months of emails after some trials of my own and saw the latest welcoming Jaffer. I had to dig to find this post…it truly felt like my own loss. You and Dozer are so beloved and he will live in our hearts along with our own beloved furbabies. Welcome to sweet little Jaffer to carry on the legacy. His love will be the balm your heart needs right now. 🙏🏻💕
I cannot express how much sadness I feel for you, my dear. Dozer was a one of kind Good Boy. I know he’ll be watching over you, always.
Nagi,
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Dozer. I know it’s been a while now but I’m sure it still feels fresh. I feel compelled to share with you how Dozer became a special part of my family’s life. I’ve been using your recipes online here and there for years and somehow did not ever see dozer. Earlier this year I borrowed your cookbooks from the library (and have since purchased both because I loved them so much) and became acquainted with sweet Dozer. I showed my 3 year old daughter and she was instantly in love. She loved flipping through the books to find him on the pages. Every golden is now dozer and she even got a t-shirt with “Dozer” on it. 🙂 It seems that he came into our lives around the time that he passed. He will live on forever in your heart and in the hearts of other families like mine. What a special boy he was. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Hugs, Teresa
Hi Nagi. I know i’m a little late but I just wanted to share how touching I found your post. I lost my special boy last year and it was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Dozer was an extremely lucky boy, and I know you were very lucky to be his mummy also. Dozer will live in all of your readers hearts forever. May he rest in peace <3
I am so so sorry for your loss. I know how gutted we feel when we lose our Goldens. We have had 2. The most recent passed in Feb. We miss her so much.
Oh, that is so sad. Sorry to hear about his passing. death sucks – k*ll death!; wipe it out! A big middle finger salute to you, death.
Nagi,
Sending my late condolences (please excuse me)… I know it has been tough since loosing Dozer! My heart goes out to you and your family. May Dozer Rest in Peace.
After hearing the recent news of your newest family member, Jaffle, I hope that Jaffle will be as honorable and great as Dozer.
Stay strong! And may you and Jaffle have great adventures ahead! We will always remember Dozer in his memory, and as a loyal, kind, and a passionate family member of RecipeTinEats. He will be missed truly.
Dear Nagi; I joined your page early this year, obviously at your darkest time! I was in shock then, as I read your last moments with your beautiful Dozer!
I’m resting and my 4 legged child (our cavoodle Rafael, in Spanish, my first language) is my whole world! He’s my first doggo ever in my life and was given to me by my husband 5 1/2 years ago!
Yes he’s cheeky at times, takes my fabrics squares (patchwork) or wool ball and did spread it around down our hallway and into our media room! I couldn’t imagine myself getting cranky with him ever. I worry often about the day he’ll be gone .. but I love him all day in the meantime! Hugs to you dear girl! Marietta (ps, I haven’t made any of your meals yet, but shall soon adapt a few as I’m a coeliac & and love cooking.
Best wishes with your new Bub- gorgeous!!
Dear Nagi, I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy Dozer. He brought so much joy to readers all over the world, and his sweet face at the end of your recipes always made my day. Sending you so much love and strength during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, sweet Dozer.
Nagi
I know exactly how you feel loosing Dozer. We had to say a tearful/sad goodbye to our puppy (16 wonderful years). Her name was Poppy & hopefully she & Dozer are somewhere chasing each other on a lovely beach (her favourite place)
She was our baby & it is so hard to let go.
Wishing you all the happy times with your new baby
Luv
Carolxxx
Nagi
I know exactly how you feel loosing Dozer. We had to say a tearful/sad goodbye to our puppy (16 wonderful years). Her name was Poppy & hopefully she & Dozer are somewhere chasing each other on a lovely beach (her favourite place)
She was our baby & it is so hard to let go.
Wishing you all the happy times with your new baby
Luv
Carolxxx
Nagi
I know exactly how you feel loosing Dozer. We had to say a tearful/sad goodbye to our puppy (16 wonderful years). Her name was Poppy & hopefully she & Dozer are somewhere chasing each other on a lovely beach (her favourite place)
She was our baby & it is so hard to let go.
Wishing you all the happy times with your new baby
Luv
Carolxxx
I have just found the courage to read your letter to Dozer and the tears are flowing. Bless you both.
So so sad to hear about Dozer and having to accept m that final goodbye to your faithful friend.
It’s heart shattering. I have experienced this terrible moment too🤗
So sorry for your loss , such a cutie pie, your words made me cry, rest in heaven dozer xx
Oh Nagi I feel your pain. You’re absolutely right, the heartbreak is because you loved him so dearly. We get to be their best friends for the whole of their lives. Aren’t we lucky? Thinking of you, he was such a beautiful boy xxxx
Dear Nagi, your pain must be unfathomable! I lost my first fur baby 2 years ago at the age of 14, and I miss her dearly. Even though we have a golden puppy currently, and gosh, is she a handful, I still miss my baby. It does get easier, though they always have a place in our hearts. I miss seeing the updates of Dozer in your recipies, and I’m sure you miss giving them. Fur babies all the way, Alex <3