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. ❤️
Very sad you are losing Dozer please remember you have given him a wonderful life and enjoyed a marvellous bond with him and he will be waiting for you with love on the other side
My heart breaks for you Nagi, Dozer had a full and beautiful life with you and thank you for sharing with us. I lost my sweet girl at age 16 years and I still feel her presence in my heart and memories. My prayers and love to you both.
Many hugs and prayers sent to you and yr furry baby
I know what your going through.
you have brought me to tears with Dozer’s update, I am the grandmother of a 16 month Cavapoodle, I would be devasted if anything happened to my Cinna, I have adult children but having Cinna gives my the grandchild I would love to have, I if she got this sick I would be lost without her, Nagi you are a strong beautiful caring person and you have just proven that DOGS give humans a purpose to get up and go and live life, Dogs are more than humans sometimes as they love us unconditional. I hope and Pray that Dozer get better so you can take him home and let him enjoy his last day(if it is to be) with you and the people who love him
PRAYS AND HOPE TO YOU BOTH
Sending so much love and gratitude for the joy of Dozer.
Nagi, my heart aches for what you are going through, and what you have yet to come.
Thank you so much for sharing your Dozer escapades, it truly is so enjoyable.
Embrace the time you have (as we all know you will) with him.
Sending the biggest hugs to both you & Dozer.
❤️ 💔 ❤️
Dearest Ngai, saying goodbye is the hardest part of having the unconditional love of our fur children. Take some comfort in knowing that you have given Dozer a full and loving life. It just sucks that their life span is so short 😢 xx 💔
Dear Nagi, over the years we have loved and lost 6 beautiful dogs and our hearts go out to you in this difficult time. It is always like an earthquake when it happens and the grief of every loss was unbearable. Dozer is looking good despite his illness. Sending much love from South Africa your way. Stay strong! xxxx
Dear Nagi my heart goes out to you during this stressful time. I understand completely where your at our fur babies take our hearts when we pick yhem up and leave a permanent pawprint onnour hearts when they leave us. I will be praying for your sweet boy you gave him your everything and he gave you his unconditional love always. Take care sweet lady. 💐
Thinking of you asyou walk, what is for any dog owner, the most heartbreaking path of all. Hoping your gorgeous boy gets the opportunity to enjoy a few more treats & snuggles with you
Oh Nagi. Please know everyone is rooting for Dozer. We love you both and hope you feel some of that. You do what you need to do. RTE and RTM is safe with JB and your brother. And we will all be here waiting for when you return.
For now, you love on that sweet boy of yours. I do hope you get to take him home for his final days.
Sending you peace, love and lots of strength. X
Oh Nagi, sending you love, strength and peace to get through this most difficult part of the journey. They give us such unconditional love and joy.
My heart is hurting for you, Nagi and for Dozer.
Ohhh Nagi, I’m so incredibly sorry to read this 😢
Having been in your situation on too many occasions, my heart breaks for you.
We will miss you and Dozer & I’m sure there will be many a prayer said that Dozer get to go home & do all the things he loves.
Thinking of you both with much love ❤️xx
Nagi I’m so sorry, I’ve been where you are with several of my foster failures . The last one max I had since he was a baby fur puppy. You just will them to please keep going for the but extra time because you know your heart will literally break . Reasoning shows its ugly head but the heart is all that matters. I hope he makes a good recovery to spend that bit of extra time to come but know in your heart he knows you loved him and he loved you right back that’s all that really matters … if only they could stay with us forever .
Sorry to hear this Nagi. He has had a good life. Take care.
I am so sorry to hear this I’m soooo feeling for you.❤️
Oh Nagi, my heart goes out to you. It is so heartbreaking to see the end coming and not being able to do anything about it. Our 15 year old rescue corgie/terrier Remi was fading and his quality of life was fading as well. My daughter asked him to tell us when he was ready. That night she dreamed of him swimming across a lake into the sunset. Three days before Christmas we made a decision to say goodbye. The night before he was indulged with all the food he had been restricted from over the past couple of years and family came to cuddle and say goodbye. As he was quietly and peacefully leaving us, we each had a hand stroking him. When the vet whispered “He’s gone” of course we broke down and still after 7 weeks I weep almost every night. But even though Remi was an incredible blessing in my life, I know that I was a blessing in his life too.
I pray that the end of your adventure together is easy for your both and through your grief you can remember that love never ends. Dozer carries your love forever.
Oh Nagi, What a sad time it is. My heart goes out to you and Dozer. Enjoy your days together. xoxo
This chapter in the lives we share between us and our fur babies is always so difficult, even though we know we sign up for it for the beginning. Yet we sign up for it all the same – because the joy they bring to us throughout their lives is immeasurable and its hard to imagine not making the same choice to have one in your life a thousand times over if we could.
At the same time, the loving home, the shelter, the yummy food, the endless tummy rubs, the playful moments on the beach fulfils the wildest dreams a fur baby could ever hope for.
The relationship is unique between a dog and their pawrents, and one in which both sides are better beings than they could ever be alone.
Much love to you and Dozer in your final times together. I hope that between the vet visits you get a few last truly wonderful moments together.