• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

  • My RecipeTin
  • My cookbooks!
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Iconic + cult classics
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish recipes
      • Salad Meals
    • Quick and Easy
    • Soups
    • One Pot – One Pan
    • Stewy slow-cooked things
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Salads & veg
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice (all)
      • Fried rice recipes
      • Rice (plain)
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
      • Ice cream
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • RecipeTin Japan 🇯🇵
        • Korean
        • Modern Asian
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • 🎄Christmas
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
    • Recipe collections
    • Cookbook recipes
  • My Food Bank
  • About
    • Me
    • RecipeTin Meals
    • My Cookbooks
      • Tonight (NEW!)
      • Dinner
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Dozer

The Final Chapter: Life of Dozer

By Nagi Maehashi
4,629 Comments
Share
  • Copy Link
  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
Published3 Feb '26 Updated3 Feb '26
Jump to

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 ………

The happiness of discharge day was sadly fleeting….we were back at ICU mere hours later. With -some of the wonderful ICU nurses of SASH (left to right: Heather, Jo Jo, Taylor, Raf and Dr Adelina).

…….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. ❤️

Previous Post
☀️ What I make when it’s too hot to cook

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




4,629 Comments

  1. Charmaine says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:17 pm

    Dear Nagi, My thoughts and wishes are with you and Dozer! I have lost a few fur babies over the years and it is just Devastating! Sending big hugs 🫂 Charmaine xx

    Reply
  2. Vikki Greive says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:14 pm

    Cherish these moments together and may your many happy memories help you through the future and replace your tears with smiles.

    Reply
  3. Ma .Joy Horton says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:13 pm

    Sending you lots of love Nagi. Thingking of you and Dozer

    Reply
  4. Yelena Kaplanskaya says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:13 pm

    Thank u Nagi for sharing in almost every post the moments of Dozer s life. You are so wonderful, and you made a great life for him and a lot of joy for us. I am in tears.

    Reply
  5. Vanessa says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:12 pm

    They are so special to us. They provide so much love and happiness in our lives. You will be in my thoughts, hoping you are able to make the most of the time you have left together. 🐕

    Reply
  6. Julie Sinnis says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:11 pm

    Our pets steal a piece of our hearts and when the time comes to say goodbye it’s just heartbreaking .
    I hope he gets to come home for a bit .

    Reply
  7. Matt says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:10 pm

    Sending all my love to you, your family and Dozer. What a beautiful piece to share in such a difficult time. Thank you for bringing Dozer into all of our lives. Xx

    Reply
  8. Frances Pulis says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:09 pm

    I know how hard it is my Molly was 15 when she passed. It was a hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Dozer will be missed ,but he gave you a lot of love, and it was returned by all.

    Reply
  9. Andrea says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:09 pm

    What a beautiful partnership you and Dozer have. You’re both very lucky to have had these years together. So kind of you to let him go gently even though it’s going to hurt you so badly. I really hope you get to have that last glorious day at home ❤️

    Reply
  10. Frances Pulis says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:09 pm

    I know how hard it is my Molly was 15 when she passed. It was a hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Dozer will be missed ,but he gave you a lot of love, and it was returned by all.

    Reply
  11. Traci H says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:08 pm

    As a fellow dog lover, my heart breaks for you. Coffee and I are sending up a woof and a prayer for comfort and peace.

    Reply
  12. Natalie says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:08 pm

    So raw for me. We said goodbye to our 15 year old girl 1 week ago today. Devastated, heartbroken, but we know that we loved her as much as she loved us and that the time was right for her to go. Her quality of life and happiness was our number one priority. She told us she was tired. She, like Dozer will be loved, cherished and remembered forever. Much love from one grieving dog mum to another xo

    Reply
  13. Cat Parkinson says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:07 pm

    I literally started bawling the second I saw the subject of this email. I have had Fozer in my inbox for a decade now and I love every update and moment you’ve allowed to share his joy! Thank you and I’m sending you both so much love and peaceful energy. All the very best x

    Reply
  14. sharyn says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:06 pm

    I am still crying. I knew better than to read your post, but I did it anyway.

    Reply
  15. Mr. Chris Vorderkunz says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:03 pm

    My dear Ms. Nagi and beloved Dozer….from Arizona, USA…I feel your journey….I had to make the decision on 4th September for my precious Miss Bella….at 15.1 years and all her 5.5 pounds….she was ready….but I was not….I will pray for you Ms. Nagi bcz prayer has been my salvation especially over these past months….I’ll remember her always….until we meet each other again…much love and may peace be with you…hugs to Mr. D too…🙏🏻

    Reply
  16. Terry says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:01 pm

    I would love to try some new recipes and I also want to send the biggest hugs to Dozer and Nagi. 💕Life can get so hard at times but hopefully your happiest memories will carry you through.

    Reply
  17. Diana Knight says

    February 4, 2026 at 3:01 pm

    Enjoy your beautiful boy, each moment is a gift. Quality can’t be understated, they love so freely. Look after yourself xx

    Reply
  18. Ems says

    February 4, 2026 at 2:59 pm

    Thinking of you at this difficult time. I know how hard it is getting ready to say goodbye as they head towards rainbow bridge (with his angel wings and wagging tail). It’s even harder when they are a pet that has been like your bestest friend. Dozer has lived an amazing life. Our vet so kind and helped guiding us so we knew when the time would be right to say our final goodbyes. Sending you a big virtual bear hug. xx

    Reply
  19. Chris Heath says

    February 4, 2026 at 2:58 pm

    Nagi, we lost Buddy a 13 y/o Kelpie in April last year, he is sorely missed by our family including Lucy our 3 y/o Maremma. we found the following comforting, I hope it may be of some comfort to you when Dozer is finally called home.

    “I was just a pup when we first met,
    I loved you from the start.
    You picked me up and took me home and placed me in your heart.
    Good times we had together, we shared all life could throw.
    But years passed all too quickly, my time has come to go.
    I know how much you miss me,
    I know your heart is sore.
    I see the tears that fall, when I’m not waiting at the door.
    You always did your best for me, Your love was plain to see.
    For even though it broke your heart, You set my spirit free.
    So please be brave without me, one day we’ll meet once more.
    For when you’re called to heaven, I’ll be waiting at the door.”

    Reply
  20. Roxy Cassidy says

    February 4, 2026 at 2:56 pm

    My heart hurts and my eyes weep, such a loving loyal partnership you both are, he will be missed by all when his spirit floats away, thank you Nagi for sharing your love

    Reply
Newer Comments
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive 3 FREE ebooks!

Subscribe
Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • By Category
  • Collections
About
  • About Nagi
  • About Dozer
  • RecipeTin Meals
Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
Help
  • Contact
  • Image Use Policy
© RecipeTin Eats 2026
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits
Maintained by Human Made Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
All Rights Reserved

Subscribe to my newsletter

Sign up and receive 3 FREE EBOOKS!