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. ❤️
Oh Nagi and Dozer, I am sitting at the hairdressers with tears rolling down my cheeks everyone looking at me like I’m an idiot..my heart’s broken for you Nagi. Enjoy the precious time you have left with your beautiful Dozer. Time is so fleeting with our fur babies! All our love and best wishes Phil and Lucy (the dog)
Sending you all the love and strength I have, it’s such a sad sad time 😔 for you 😘
Thinking of you and Dozer. You are so strong and the love you have for Dozer radiates through all your posts and recipes.
This last part is so hard. You see them fading, you hope for so much. He’s a very brave boy with so much love
In their old age we love them even more, desperate to hang onto the smell of them, the beautiful face up close, the soft fur to stroke, the silky face to nuzzle into.
He’s giving you time to start your grieving but in the meantime treasure your remaining time together knowing you’ve both lived in one of the most beautiful relationships you can have with a dog.
Clouds in my eyes as I read your post. So very sorry 😞 😞😞
Thinking of you as you love your boy hard while you still have him. I hope that the time he has left is beautiful and that when the time comes he goes gently over the rainbow bridge.
To Nagi & Dozer, Sending you Aroha from NZ. You are such a beautiful boy & so loved by all who surround you. You have become part of our home, just viewing your precious kitchen moments online & in your lovely cookbooks together. We wish you well xx
Oh Nagi I have been here. It is so hard. You will do what is best for you both.
My thoughts are with you.
Carole
Such beautiful words from so many people. Thinking of you you both.
Dear Nagi and Dozer
Curly (12 year old Golden Doodle) and I love the Dozer stories and photos and your recipes. Please know that our hearts are with you both. You two have taken wonderful care of each other over these years.
Nagi and Dozer, I send you all the love in the world – last week we said good bye to our goodest boy Herbie at the age of 15, we were so so lucky to have him and we miss him so much I cant even explain the hurt. BUT we were so lucky to be his chosen people, his little idiosyncracies are what we will miss the most, and who will eat all the leftovers?
It is such a privelige to be loved by a dog… <3
My heart goes out to you Nagi. We lost our boy in 2023 and the grief and pain of his loss was, and still is unbearable.
They are here for such a short time and bring so much joy to our lives and it’s a privilege to be able to love and cherish such an important family member.
Thinking of you and Dozer at this really difficult time 💕
Heartfelt sorrow for you and Dozer. You have given each other so much love over the years and the happy times you have had will always be there. No one can take that away. Lots of hugs and kisses are the best prescription.
I can empathise with you our last girl was a black lab, took a while before we got another and she is a Portugese Podengo small and we are happy to have her, good luck and I hope you get your wish and he can stay home.
We love you Dozer and wish you all the best on your next trip around the sun. Thanks Nagi for sharing Dozer with us all these years. I pray for strength for you and your family. Hugs from Maryland, USA. ❤️❤️❤️
My heart goes out to you and Dozer; you’ll be in my prayers
I have had dogs since I was 18, 50 years later I still have dogs and cats. I did rescue for years. I only take animals that had issues or health issues or came from horrible environments. Animals that normal people don’t want. They came to their new home where they get a lot of love, treated like they mattered and fun with mom and their fur siblings, their furever home. I truly understand the pain that you are going through with Dozer. I pray that Dozer bounces back quickly. Much love and hugs for both of you.
Thinking of Dozer with so much love. I bought your Dozer book for my two great grandchildren aged 2 Finn and 3 Charlie birthdays in January 2026. They both live in Kalgoorlie WA to my two grandchildren. Maureen Moffatt
Thinking of you both a lot at this time. Hope you have a chance to do those special things
I love your relationship with your best friend, Dozer. I am sending him many healing thoughts and hope he comes home for another romp on the beach with you and his friends.