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
Crying reading your words. Goodbyes are the hardest. Sending much love to you.
Dear Nagi,
My sincere condolences, madam.
I’ve loved reading about Dozer’s antics over the years (alongside your recipes) – they, like he, will be missed – may he rest in peace.
I wish you much strength during this time XXX.
There are no words to express the loss of our beloved pets.
So very sorry for the loss of Dozer. Your undying love for that pup was felt right through the Internet. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Sorry to learn of the passing of your dear sweet Dozer. Our canine friends ask for so little but give so much back. They are family, each with their own personality, true friends.
I believe we will reunite with them somehow , someday , somewhere. Rely on family and friends to guide you thru this difficult time .
Oh my goodness…what a beautiful tribute for a beautiful soul 🥰 My heart breaks for you…you gave him an incredible life full of endless love ❤️ From me and my two goldies…sending huge hugs and love x
I’m so sorry, Nagi. What fun it has been to have Dozer be a part of your recipes and my week for the past few years as I’ve plucked a recipe (or three or four) from your site for my family’s meals. What a gift to have pets in our lives to help us feel worthy of love just the way we are. Thinking of you during this toughest of times. Big hug from Kenya.
The love we feel for our fur children is powerful beyond belief for the uninitiated. I am crying with you and for you both. Dozer had the best possible life. You gave him everything, Nagi, including of yourself, and are now paying the price. Been there, done that. And would we have it any other way? Of course not, but gosh, it hurts when they go. Much love to you.
The love well feel for our fur children is powerful beyond belief for the uninitiated. I am crying with you and for you both. Dozer had the best possible life. You gave him everything, Nagi, including of yourself, and are now paying the price. Been there, done that. And would we have it any other way? Of course not, but gosh, it hurts when they go. Much love to you.
The live well feel for our fur children is powerful beyond belief for the uninitiated. In am crying with you and for you both. Dozer had the best possible life. You have him enduring, Magic, including of yourself, and are now paying the price. Been there, done that. And would we have it any other way? Of course not, but gosh, it hurts when they go. Much love to you.
Dear Nagi, my heart hurts for you. He loved you totally and you gave him an awesome life. A) of us who have loved and lost a pet know completely what you are going through but it was worth it to spend time with them.
Dearest Nagi, I am so sad for the loss of beautiful Dozer, I will miss him so much too. Dozer has left a big paw print on my heart. Love and hugs to you Nagi xx
My heart hurts for you Nagi, RIP to your beautiful Dozer xx
There are no words for the love we feel for our furry family. I am so sad that your boy needed to leave you. His time was up and he couldn’t stay. This sadness will ease as time passes and he will always be in your heart. That sort of beautiful love never dies.
Beautiful Dozer may you RIP. Sending Nagi lots of love at this sad time 🖤
You’re absolutely right, all of your grief is testament to your great love for Dozer and the joy and love he brought you. I tell my Coffee that he’s the most loved dog in the world, but I know you would beg to differ. Blessings as you walk through your grief.
My heart goes out to you Nagi.
Rest in peace beautiful Dozer. The love between people and their beloved dogs is beyond words. Please accept my love even though you don’t know me XX
Dear Nagi
Furry family… we love them sooo much xxxxxxonly problem they dont live as long as we want them too Thats why the time we have with them is so precious …sadness fades …love lives on
So sorry for your loss! Beautiful words for Dozer. Thankyou for sharing your beautiful love and the wrenching loss with us all. Its so hard xx
Dear Nagi,
We are very saddened on the passing on of Dozer.
My daughters and I would always want to know about Dozer before we went on to reading the new recipe you had to share. His picture would instantly bring a smile to our face.
We stand by you in your loss of such a loved one and we will continue to hold him with fondness in our memories.
Sending you love.
Nagi I just want to say that I am so sorry that Dozer has passed. God bless.
Dear Nagi…
I’ve just read your beautifully written message of your final days & moments with Dozer. Anyone who has loved their dog with such love & devotion understands what you are feeling right now. It is the hardest time. We share your pain and sadness. We know it will settle at some point and you will go on forever loving everything that Dozer gave to you. He will be forever in your heart and near to you.
3 years ago we had to say goodbye to one of our 2 sister rough coat JRTs. She was my baby girl and I would have done anything to make her better. I too held her while she passed to Doggy Heaven. Her suffering was over and I had to understand that it was more about her than it was about me. It was not easy, as we missed her every minute of the day. A few days after she passed, I was woken during the night, a few days later, with an unknown, beautifully warm & real feeling around my heart. I’d never experienced it before or since. I just knew it was Ruby letting me know she was OK. I just lay there & let it be. Eventually I went back to sleep, still aware of the feeling.
We were fortunate to still have her sister (same litter) who even after 2 brown snake bites, is going strong at 15 years & a few months. She wants to walk & run twice a day, she is such a gorgeous character & very independent and I just want to zap up every moment with her because I do understand that these beautiful creature’s lives are too short. She comes everywhere with us and even though I have family in the UK that I’ve not seen for 9 years, I will not leave her to travel back there. She has given to us unconditionally and we will do whatever she needs for the rest of the time she has with us. We hope that is still some years, as long as she is healthy & happy.
Sending you all the love that a doggy parent understands. We hope that in time your find peace and can smile again.
Much love, Jenny xx
❤️