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 sad to see you and Dozer making this heartbreaking journey together.
The price of loving – which we unflinchingly pay.
Astonishingly there are highlights and laughter in amongst the grief and what a gift that is.
Thank you Nagi and Dozer for your generosity of spirit in allowing us in to your life over the years.
You have brightened up a sometimes dull and sometimes even frightening world.
Arohanui.
Heff
Oh Nagi my heart hurts to think what you’re going through with Dozzer. They become so much a part of our lives. Stay strong and give the big boy a huge hug and kiss from me. 🥰😘❤️🫶
Thank you for sharing dozer’s life with us. Always a sad time when our loved ones (in my case a Maltese Shitzu called Pocky) gets to the end of their life.
Sending love to Dozer and yourself. It seems that he has the best life.
Heartbreaking when we lose our best friends.
Hugs
Hello Nagi my thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate the last days of Dozer’s life. You can take comfort in the fact that Dozer has had a magical life with you and your family and extended family. Many pets don’t have that experience . Stay strong and remember how much he is loved. All your many supporters will look forward to seeing you and your posts in the future. 🙏
Thinking of you both 💕❤️
Sending you both love at this difficult time.
Savour every moment ❤️ you have given him the most wonderful life.
I just came home from the vet with one of my babies, checked my emails and saw, The Final Chapter, I said, noooo and immediately bawled my eyes out. Finally I actually read the post and my heart goes out to you Nagi but if a dog ever lived a life full of fun, food and love it’s your precious, sweet boy, Dozer. Love and hugs to you both xxx.
Nagi you are my ‘go to’ source for all that is cooking. It is also the love you have for Dozer. It is the hardest part of having a pet in your family, the saddest time. Give him the best you can for what time he has. He has had a wonderful life with you and he will always hold a piece of your heart. 🐾🐾❤️
Oh Nagi my heart goes out to you, and everything i have is crossed that Dozer improves to remain by your side. Yes, those of us who have fur babies have to face the inevitable eventually, but i dearly hope your time is not now. Thinking of you both, and sending all my best wishes. Diana.
Dear Nagi, and your very special fur baby Dozer,
This is such a very hard time for you,
These incredibly loyal and beautiful creatures are never with us long enough.
I read a lovely saying somewhere that the reason that God calls all his fur babies back to him early, is because they were put on this earth already perfect, and they have no need to learn anything more. Unlike us humans. Once they have taught us of forgiveness, unconditional love and loyalty, their job is done.
Our hearts break when we lose them, but we will never forget them, nor what they meant to us.
I also love my two fur babies very much; they are both 15 years old now and are having some health issues.
Oh Nagi, I’m so, so sorry. Big fat drippy tears falling down my cheeks as I type this. They’re such a massive part of our life, our fur babies, and we’re their ENTIRE life. What a privilege and a blessing for you and Dozer to have had one another all this time. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Sending all the love and giant squeezy hugs. xxx
Dear Nagi It is with great sadness that I read your news, I sincerely hope Dozer will return to as good as he was before this happened, meanwhile spend as much time with him as is possible, even though I havn’t known him for long I shall miss his goofy face in your weekly emails.
My little Cinders I think is on her last legs, she’s getting a bit wobbly on her legs and sleeps most of the time now if she lasts a bit longer she will. Be 17 28/2. My thoughts are with you.♥️😔
Love him, kiss a hundred times and spend every moment with him. I didn’t get the luxury with my baby girl.
Sending big hugs to you and Dozer, spend all the time you can together. Dozer comes first, he is so lucky to have you and so much love coming his way from “the village”. Thanks for the update, you are both in my thoughts and prayers xx
Oh Nagi I am so sorry to read about poor dozer sending you both all the love in the world
I hope Dozer can get home just one more time to see his friends. At least you are keeping him company at the moment and I am sure he feels all the love you have for him. So very sad. XXX
I lost my Benjie four years ago, and from the depths of that grief until today, Dozer has been a source of comfort for me. My heart aches for you. Thank you for sharing his beautiful life with us.
Re Dozer, my heart goes out to you Nagi, been there a few times, never makes it any easier ……….