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. ❤️
I just love you to pieces Nagi, and I’m so sorry for your loss. I just discovered that on your site. We do love our fur babies and I will say a prayer for you and your loss. You are a beautiful person and I enjoy your recipes so much. I’m glad I found your cooking site. God bless you. Blessings, strength and peace in your heart I pray.
Lauris H
What a joy to have met Dozer last year at SASH at your book signing . He truly is full of life and has a generosity of heart that is just like You, My heart is devastated for You Nagi. May you grieve deeply and find peace around his departure. His Presence will always be at RTM and RTE in each innovation and recipe you work on and truly in all our hearts. You worked as a great team: with all the other humans there too. Sending so much love through this transitionary time
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved hearing about and seeing pictures of Dozer when looking up recipes. My sweet 16.5 year old Jack Russel, Ginger went to heaven several months ago. It is the hardest! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nagi my sincerest condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness and loss. Thank you for sharing so generously, I have loved reading the updates about Dozer for nearly a decade (?! Can that be right?!). May his memory always be with us, and much love during this time of heartbreak
I’ve adored your sweet baby for six years. We also lost our boy a few months ago. I genuinely feel your pain. Please know that there are hugs coming your way from Canada. I hope a bit of time has eased your grief, even a little. <3
So very, very sorry. Warm thoughts sent your way.
I’ve only just read your news. I am so sorry. Thinking of you.
Pat
Dear Nagi
I am sorry for your loss of dozer. He was always dependable, always there and such a joy. It’s a painful loss but you can be happy you made his life delicious, adventurous and a joyful. I hope we can meet our fur buddies in the next life. Who knows. Take care Of yourself it’s a sad and confusing time.💕
Dearest Nagi, my heart breaks for you. So so many of us know this unrelenting grief. There is big big love from all over the world for your Dozer as there is for you. Sending you hugs and much gratitude for all you give us, and for the rich life you gave your beautiful boy.
So so sorry to hear about Dozer. He’s been a wonderful companion for you and will continue to be in spirit. Rest in peace darling Dozer. 🥰🥰🥰🦮🦮🦮
Thank you for sharing Dozer with us. Sending love and prayers your way.
I’m so very sorry about Dozer. We’ve had 3 goldens while raising our kids. Best family dogs ever. I really wasn’t going to respond since we fully understand what you’re going through. But the other day we had to go let our son’s 2 goldens out and on the way home, once on the highway there was a jeep with a license plate that said Dozer. Well I took that as a sign that I should say something. So, since our pups have gone to the Rainbow Bridge we have had many a visit you could say. Not much anymore but at the time it was quite a bit and I have to say that it brought us much peace in our lives. So I have to impart to you that if you haven’t picked up on his visits yet that when God calls you home Dozer may very well come help you through. I firmly feel that our pets are around off and on. May the good Lord bless you and Dozer….
Sue
Im so sorry about Dozer!
Oh Noooo! I was just saving a couple more of your recipes on my Pinterest account when I was absolutely SHOCKED to see that Dozer had passed away! I just couldn’t believe it! I then read your heartwarming letter and tears came to my eyes on doing so. He will be sorely missed by me and thousands of others. Our “pets”, our true companions in our lives, are so loved and so loving in return. It may sound strange, but I have a cat that is such a gentle loving friend. He adopted us from the back door about four years ago. We, of course, had the vet check him over and was told he has feline HIV, which is untreatable, and that sometime he will die from it. There is no way to tell when that will happen. I already dread when that will happen, but for now we share the most remarkable love together. So I am thinking of you, Nagi, in your grief and loneliness without your dear beloved friend Dozer!
Hi from Melbourne Australia. Many years ago I adopted the local street cat, named Tabby (I’m ashamed I wasn’t more creative. I soon found out from the vet that he was also FIV positive. He was 7 or 8 when I adopted that adorable cat
He was 22 when I lost him. Take him to the vet whenever he looks like he’s about to sneeze and you’ll be amazed how long he can live. Good luck sweetie. Love from Melbourne
Hi from Melbourne Australia. Many years ago I adopted the local street cat, named Tabby (I’m ashamed I wasn’t more creative. I soon found out from the vet that he was also FIV positive. He was 7 or 8 when I adopted that adorable cat
He was 22 when I lost him. Take him to the vet whenever he looks like he’s about to sneeze and you’ll be amazed how long he can live. Good luck sweetie. Love from Melbourne
I am so sorry about your Dozer. I know a life lived well, but I know how it feels too. Please know I am crying too. It is just too short that sparkling life.
You don’t know me, but I followed your recipes for years. I am so sorry. This has broken me for today.
I lost my baby girl about Five months ago at nearly 14 years and I can’t tell you how sorry I am for the pain you’re going through.
Christmas was really tough I thought, but on Friday it was my birthday and my hardest day ever .
It’s the little things that hurt the most but the greatest thing I have ever done in my life was to hold her so tight as she took her last breath and knowing that the next morning I would have to face the day and the rest of my life without my best mate.
Nagi you don’t know me but I’m sitting here in a pool of tears and I feel your pain
Condolences dear Nagi
From Kerrie
So very sorry for your deep loss of such a sweet boy. He had an outstanding human, to be sure. Maybe as a tribute, you could publish his very favorite foods (that are also okay for our dogs to taste)? I have a golden too. He likes people food way too much.
Nagi, please take comfort in the fact that Dozer had a wonderful life with you. Your love for him shone in every photograph. My favorites were the ones of him at the beach in the water with all his dog friends. God bless you both.
Nagi, please take comfort in the fact that Dozer had a wonderful life with you. Your love for him shone in every photograph. My favorites were the ones of him at the beach in the water with all his dog friends. God bless you both.