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
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. ❤️
My heart reaches out to you… thinking about you both 💕
I know the devastation of losing a loving and wonderful friend…I still mourn my loss…but remember…you gave Dozier the best life possible and he will have the joy of your life everlasting. Prayers for you both and the biggest hug from me and my gone too soon Max.
Such a sad day Nagi! 💔 Very sorry to hear of your beautiful boy’s end of life.
Oh Nagi, I am in tears. I know what you are going through. We lost our 3 heelers within a 2 year period (they were close in age). The only positive I can say is, what an honor it was to be with each of them when they left this life. I still cry over them. Take a long deserved rest. We will be here for you when you get back ❤️
So sorry to hear Dozer is not doing well. Saying prayers for him and for you. ❤️
I am so sorry Nagi. We just lost one of our beautiful fur babies on Jan 28th at 17 years old. We had a blessed extra 6 weeks with her while we tried to treat her glaucoma and later a corneal ulcer, and she was doing really well for most of it, but then took a turn for the worse. At 17 and with a heart murmur, we just couldn’t put her through the a very difficult surgery and recovery.
Dozer has been such an integral part of your life, and I always have looked forward to hearing a little about him. I do hope he gets some time back at home, but I am quite certain he knows how much he is loved.
No amount of tears will truly express the huge hole our beloved pets leave when they move on.
I wish you both the most precious time together with only love, warmth and closeness. I lost my dear tomcat last july, I know how you feel. Much love.
Sending big hugs, thank you for sharing Dozer’s life, he was such a super star xx
All the love for Dozer, I’m sorry to learn about its condition. Much strength for you.
Greetings from the other side of the pond.
Nagi, I am so sorry for you. I know how much we love our pets. I hope that Dozer will have the chance to enjoy some wonderful moments at the end of his life, knowing how much you love him. He has had a beautiful life thanks to you and all the care you have given him with so much love. Yes, the road ahead will be sad for the next few days and weeks. But take comfort in knowing that you were a wonderful companion to this beautiful dog, Dozer.
From Canada, my thoughts are with you both!
Sending love to you both. You and Dozer have shared such joy with us. My golden girl and I wish you both comfort and peace.
I am so sorry to hear this news. 😞
I have enjoyed following your site for many years both for your fabulous recipes and to enjoy Dozer’s antics. What a beautiful boy he is. I hope he somehow recovers and if he doesn’t i hope his journey is peaceful and pain free hugged and held close with his Mom.
Many prayers for you and Dozer. Spend as much time as you can with your baby, he is your priority. Much love from Maryland.
Much love from my heart to yours and Dozers ❤️
I am devastated to hear if Dozers condition. Yes, tears have flowed and prayers said daily.
Come on Dozer, keep fighting old man.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I am sorry to hear that Dozer is not doing well. You are right where you need to be now – by his side. Wishing you comfort through many precious memories of Dozer.
My Heart is aching for you Nagi,Dozer always was and still is the magic touch to your blog and why I first started following you years ago,take all the time you need to get through this and keep thinking of the good days love to you both and give him a kiss from me
I am so, so sorry and sad reading your post, Nagi. The joy and love shared between you and Dozer, (and then oh so generously shared again by you with us), have leapt off the page and filled our hearts with joy and love too. Thank you Dozer, and thank you Nagi, for each and every moment. Thank you too, Nagi, for your courage and generous heart, that lead you to post even now, and include us ‘friends from away’ who you haven’t met but know and love you both. Our lives are all the better for having you both in them, and it is such a privilege and enrichment to count you both as ‘friends from afar’.
Much love to you both.
Big Hugs from Arizona.
My heart goes out to you, your family and of course your precious Dozer who has been, even for me, as a reader who has been following you for years (love, love your cookbooks too!). I too am a doggie. As soon as I read today’s header I burst into tears. I know first hand how the loss of our fur babies tears at our hearts. They are from the angelic realm to love, be loved and to teach the human race what it is to love unconditionally. They leave us too soon. Their massive hearts should, if all were fair, reign for decades upon decades. Sending you love and light for the days ahead. – xoxo – Debbie