Dozer - RecipeTin Eats https://www.recipetineats.com/category/dozer/ Fast Prep, Big Flavours Fri, 16 May 2025 02:49:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.altis-dxp.com/?v=6.6.2 https://www.recipetineats.com/tachyon/2018/12/cropped-favicon%402x.png?fit=32%2C32 Dozer - RecipeTin Eats https://www.recipetineats.com/category/dozer/ 32 32 171556125 Dozer turns 13! https://www.recipetineats.com/dozer-turns-13/ https://www.recipetineats.com/dozer-turns-13/#comments Fri, 16 May 2025 06:00:00 +0000 urn:uuid:285dbcb2-1054-4fd5-a270-84a7d04927df Dozer 13th birthday at Bayview 2025-5Celebrating 13 years of Dozer – that’s 79 human years! Join me for a little trip down memory lane to see what my big, dopey, loveable fur ball has been up to this past year. If I’m still this active, adored and obsessed with snacks at his age, I’ll consider myself lucky! Ahhh Dozer! What... Get the Recipe

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Celebrating 13 years of Dozer – that’s 79 human years! Join me for a little trip down memory lane to see what my big, dopey, loveable fur ball has been up to this past year. If I’m still this active, adored and obsessed with snacks at his age, I’ll consider myself lucky!

Ahhh Dozer! What a year you’ve had. I want to say it was unlike any other – but honestly, I feel like every year is extraordinary! Not exactly heroic-dog extraordinary (eg. sniffing out survivors or tracking missing people in forests), but your talents lie in……shall we say, other areas we’ve come to value?😂

Let’s take a look at Dozer’s Best Of from the past 12 months!

Life of Dozer

Dozer’s comeback!

I didn’t do a birthday post for Dozer’s 12th birthday because he was recovering from surgery after being diagnosed with bi-lateral laryngeal paralysis which was inhibiting his ability to breath. He had a rough recovery, and I can’t lie, there was a time when I wasn’t sure he’d pull through. But he did!! Back on the beach with his friends, with a smile and even a few leaps and bounds! ☺️

I’ll always treasure that photo above, the first day I took him back to the beach 3 months after his operation, bundled up in a heavy duty life jacket for safety. He was so happy!

plAYSCHOOL!

This one’s going straight to the top of the highlights list because – PLAYSCHOOL!!! Truly, no greater honour.

His brief?

✅ Waddle on set and look cute – nailed it.
❌ Look at camera. Fail! His eyes were laser-locked on the food the entire time. 😂

Dozer Play School 2024

PHOTOSHOOTS, PHOTOSHOOTS!

With Dozer featured so heavily in my second cookbook Tonight, there were so many photo shoots, and so many locations! At the office, home, photography studio, at the dog beach. I wanted to capture him at all the places he frequents in his life. What a natural he is in front of the camera these days!

And of course, the common theme – so much food. So, so much food! What torture it must be for him, as we take shot after shot after shot. 😂

And my favourite photo:

Which ended up on the cover of my favourite magazine……

COVER BOY!

The Big Issue is a social enterprise magazine that is sold by disadvantaged people in CBD areas of Australia, providing them with a means to earn an income and rebuild their lives. Of all the interviews that we did in the 12 months (and by “we”, I refer to my whole team as well as Dozer and I!), this is the one that won our hearts. (OK FINE! Dozer splashed on the cover may have helped 😂).

BOOK LAUNCH AND TOUR!

Launching a book is fun. Launching it with Dozer by my side is even MORE fun!!

Nagi and Dozer Dymocks book release day

Who wants to talk to me when they can pat Dozer??🥰

And when the book tour went interstate so I couldn’t take the real thing with me, we took the 2D version instead!

Nagi Dozer cutout Adelaide

READER EVENTS

One of the most wonderful parts of making a cookbook is that you get to meet in real life. Something I never imagined having the opportunity to do 4 years ago before I made my first book.

These days, meeting readers is something that we try to make a regular thing – because both my team and I enjoy it so much!! And of course, for Sydney events, Dozer is the biggest drawcard. Here he is, stealing all the attention at two of the reader events we held last year – a dinner at Boronia Kitchen (my local!):

Boronia Kitchen Reader dinner Dozer
Reader dinner at Boronia Kitchen (my local!)

And more recently at a stunning long lunch at the Roundhouse Restaurant in the Crystalbrook Kingsley Hotel as part of the annual Newcastle Good Food Month celebrations.

fundraiser for sophie’s legacy

Of all the events we did though, the most special would have to be a fundraiser we did for Sophie’s Legacy. This is a charity set up by the parents of a young vet who took her own life, which has a goal of reducing the suicide rates in the profession. A horrifying statistic: suicide rates among veterinarians is 4x the national average.

Dozer-SASH-Sophie's-Legacy-photos-7

Dozer and I hosted a fundraiser at our local Small Animal Special Hospital (in Ryde) where we raised money for Sophie’s Legacy. It was a small gesture to give back to the people who saved Dozer’s life a year ago.

It also made me aware that every time I go to the vet, it’s usually because Dozer is not well. So I’m worried and upset, and do I really remember to thank the vets and staff properly? Take a moment to drop a note of thanks to your veterinarian – drop an email, letter or card – for looking after our pets so well. You can’t begin to imagine how much it will mean to them. ❤️

plastered all over rtm!

And a big moment for Dozer in the past year – when we plastered a life size sticker of him on the window of RecipeTin Meals!! A nice reminder in case there was any uncertainty of who’s REALLY the boss around here…..😂

Nagi Dozer RTM signage

Dozer will be our poster boy for RTM, always. Forever. As long as RTM is associated with me, I will never let that change.

Taste testing duties

From the moment I started my website 11 years ago, Dozer proudly appointed himself Chief Taste Tester – and what a stellar job he’s done in that important role! Crowned Employee of the Month nearly every month, he’s praised for his unwavering commitment, enthusiasm with which he undertakes his duties and lightning-fast response time whenever anything edible emerges from the fridge, oven, or pantry (the garden, however, remains suspiciously beneath him 🤔).

Dozer-employee-of-the-month

These days, due to his medical condition, he is unable to eat flaky and crumbly things like croissants, biscuits and cakes (due to the risk of inhaling into his lungs). But, ever the dedicated professional, he still insists on doing his part. If he can’t taste the cake, he’ll happily sample the custard. Just dip cabanossi in it! Mmmm, meat and custard….

DOZER’S 13TH BIRTHDAY!

And here he is, on his 13th birthday at his second favourite place on earth – Bayview dog beach!

Looking through Dozer’s birthday photos, I realised it’s less a celebration for him and more for me – because let’s be honest, does he look thrilled in his party get-up this year? Absolutely not. 😂 He spent much of the time howling in protest!

Dozer 13th birthday at Bayview 2025-5

Everybody knows I did it for myself, not him – a bit of celebration, but mostly for amusement. Watching him swim around Bayview with shiny foil trailing behind him and his little party hat bobbing around on this back… priceless! 🤣

Though actually, when I took his lifejacket off and saw how much water the foil was holding, I felt a bit bad, thinking of the drag it must’ve created as he was swimming!

In a nutshell…

Life for Dozer is as great as I could hope for it to be. I feel fortunate that he is still with me and most importantly, happy, comfortable and an appetite as ferocious as ever.

Honestly, the most stressful part of his life is still toy laundry day. I reckon that’s a pretty great position to be!

Dozer-toy-washing-day-August-2024-1

Happy birthday Dozer!

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY DOZER! Thank you for all the happiness and laughter you bring into my life. I feel so fortunate that you are still with me, and still in good form despite some bumps along the way and some creaky hinges.

I love you with all my heart, and I will treasure every day I have left with you, and look after you as best I can to make you as happy as you make me. ~ Nagi x

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The gift of more time with Dozer https://www.recipetineats.com/dozer-is-ok/ https://www.recipetineats.com/dozer-is-ok/#comments Mon, 18 Mar 2024 06:48:56 +0000 https://www.recipetineats.com/?p=141494 I’m so relieved and delirious with happiness to share that Dozer just had his post-operation check up and he’s ok!! I’ve been overwhelmed by all the messages of support and cheering on his recovery. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ~ Nagi x I won’t lie – it’s been a worrying couple of... Get the Recipe

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I’m so relieved and delirious with happiness to share that Dozer just had his post-operation check up and he’s ok!! I’ve been overwhelmed by all the messages of support and cheering on his recovery. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ~ Nagi x

Taken this afternoon. I chose his good side. The other side is shaved! 🙂

I won’t lie – it’s been a worrying couple of weeks. But a weight has been lifted from my shoulders after getting the all clear from Dozer’s doctors today. So I came straight here to share this great news with you!!!

At SASH in Ryde, the animal hospital, earlier today when Dozer got the all clear!

Dialling back: A fortnight ago, I shared the sad news that Dozer was diagnosed with bi-lateral laryngeal paralysis, a condition where both his larynxes are paralysed so it severely inhibits his breathing. It came on quickly – in January he was romping around at the beach with his mates, then by the end of February he was refusing to go for walks and did nothing more than sleep all day. His breathing was laboured, and he was panting heavily all day and night.

I was so scared. I had been researching endlessly and had read too many sad stories of people saying goodbye to their dogs because they couldn’t watch them struggle with laryngeal paralysis anymore, or losing their dogs because they were too old to cope with the trauma of the surgery.

I made the decision to do the surgery and 2 weeks ago, he went in for what is called a tie-back operation at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Ryde (Sydney). The surgeons went in from the outside of Dozer’s neck then tied back one larynx to open up his airways so he can breath more freely. He stayed overnight in their ICU, monitored closely for post op complications which are more prevalent in older dogs (he’s 11 years young!).

Dozer in ICU at SASH

Dozer’s recovery from the operation was slower than I expected. On day 3 after the operation, he was still barely able to struggle to his feet and did nothing but sleep all day. His breathing was extremely hoarse and raspy which the surgeon said was to be expected to an extent from post op swelling in his airways.

Is anybody here surprised when I tell you that I’ve been sleeping on a blow-up beside him every night since the operation? 🙂

I even did an emergency run back to the hospital after I found him in what seemed to be in a barely conscious state. He was a dead weight, just lying on his side without moving as we slid him across the house on a dog bed and lifted him into the car.

Luckily, it seemed to be old-man slow recovery from surgery. Around 10 days after the surgery, he started showing signs of perkiness and was able to get up by himself without assistance. His breathing became noticeably quieter – albeit still a bit hoarse. He greeted me at the door for the first time in a couple of months (I almost wept with happiness). He started playing with toys again. And he even came into the kitchen again when I was cooking high-value food! (meat).

Also (and sorry to gross you out!) he was going to the toilet regularly. He didn’t 💩 for 8 days!!! EIGHT DAYS! That is a LOT of 💩 banked up inside him – I don’t even know how he managed to store that much!!! There was much applause and celebration the day he broke the seal. I even popped a bottle of champers to celebrate. 😂

(Oh yes, and this photo reminded me of how I tried to get his bowels moving 😂).

Dozer’s post op life

But the tie-back surgery does not come without repercussions. He is at higher risk of food and water getting into his lungs and causing aspiration pneumonia (lung infection) which can be serious and deadly. He is on a new diet of slippery, ball-shaped proteins (think, Asian fish balls, but homemade) and jelly cubes made with pureed vegetables that I feed him by hand in a standing position so it slides down his throat easily.

No more random taste testing, lest stray crumbs or little bits of food accidentally get inhaled into his lungs – and the sheer speed at which food disappears down Dozer’s throat means this is a serious risk (I am not joking).

There is also the fact that it’s likely that his laryngeal paralysis is part of a broader nerve weakening syndrome called Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (GOLPP) which will see a weakening of his hind legs. The question is just the pace at which this occurs. I can’t bring myself to think about this yet. I know how that story ends.

It’s unlikely that he will get back to the same level of activity and energy he was even just a couple of months ago. I’ll be taking his recovery slowly, re-building his strength (bearing in mind he’s basically done no exercise for over a month now) and giving his airways time to finish healing.

And while I do get sad when I think of how Dozer’s life as it was just two months ago is over – splashing in the water with his mates, bolting after any bird that dares to land in his park, getting the last (sometimes the first) bite of everything I eat – it goes without saying that I am just grateful to have more time with him.

Cherish every moment

The reality is, he is getting on in his years. Dozer is just a month out from turning 12. He is (was) in excellent physical condition. Strong, fit, his fur is shiny and smooth, his teeth and eyes in very good condition for his age. His hearing may have been fading a bit, but hard to tell if it’s just selective hearing (seems to hear the crinkle of food wrappers ok).

But this scare is a very strong reminder to me to cherish every moment I have left with him.

Right now, I just want to relish in the glimpses I’m seeing today of the Dozer that I knew. His tail is wagging again. He trots into the kitchen to scavenge for food. He went for a short walk today – 100 metres. Yay Dozer!

Thank you again for your support and cheering him on. Sometimes I feel like your collective positive thinking gave him strength. I know it did me. – Nagi x

Nagi and Dozer post operation
Hadn’t seen the sun in a while when I took this. Hence, squinting!

Dear SASH – thank you for the gift of time

To everyone at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) in Ryde, from the receptionists to the cleaners, ICU nurses to the anaesthetists, and most especially to Dozer’s surgeons and doctors – Dr James Crowley (surgeon), Dr Tristram Bennett (surgeon), Dr Alex Kennedy (internal medicine) and Dr Amy Dickinson (critical care specialist):

Thank you for the gift of more time with Dozer. I will forever be grateful. ~ Nagi x

Above photo – the incredible team at SASH North Ryde. Left to right: Dr Alex Kennedy (internal medicine), Dozer’s maid, Dozer, Dr James Crowley (surgeon), Dr Tristram Bennett (surgeon), Dr Amy Dickinson (critical care specialist).

And the photo below – double stethoscope situation! With Dr Alex Kennedy and Dr James Crowley.

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A Dozer update. https://www.recipetineats.com/a-dozer-update/ https://www.recipetineats.com/a-dozer-update/#comments Tue, 05 Mar 2024 04:54:03 +0000 https://www.recipetineats.com/?p=139785 Dozer in ICU at SASHWhen you accidentally make your dog as much of the face of a business as you are, it is inevitable that there will come a time when you have to publicly share not-so-happy news with the world. Let me first preface this post by assuring you that Dozer is currently “ok”. He has a condition... Get the Recipe

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When you accidentally make your dog as much of the face of a business as you are, it is inevitable that there will come a time when you have to publicly share not-so-happy news with the world.

Let me first preface this post by assuring you that Dozer is currently “ok”. He has a condition called laryngeal paralysis which is obstructing his breathing. He is home after being in surgery, exhausted. But he is alive, and as I write this post he is sprawled at my feet, snoring loudly.

Here is an update on what’s happened – and why I’m telling you.

Dozer heading in for tests at our local vet

Dozer has laryngeal paralysis

Dozer has been diagnosed with a condition called laryngeal paralysis which is where the larynx is paralysed so it doesn’t open to allow the free flow of air into his lungs. Think of it like a flap in your throat that opens to let air in.

It’s a nerve deterioration condition that’s irreversible and untreatable. In the last week before his surgery, the lack of oxygen meant he was permanently lethargic. He didn’t want to go for walks or swim. He couldn’t climb stairs.

And most concerning (not joking), he wouldn’t waddle into the kitchen when I started cooking.

All he did was eat, sleep and go to the toilet. And pant a lot. Heavy, raspy breathing – even with the air con on.

A swift decline

His decline has been swift. In January, he was running wild on the beach as he has done for the whole 11 years of his life:

By the end of January, he was refusing to walk around the block. Just sleeping all day inside.

In mid February he was diagnosed with one paralysed larynx at our local vet. Then one week later, the specialist hospital determined that his other larynx was also paralysed.

And one week after that, he was in surgery.

Checking in on surgery day (yesterday).

The decision for surgery

There is no treatment for laryngeal paralysis. I could have done nothing. The consequence of that would be Dozer spending the rest of his days pretty much doing nothing because he wouldn’t have the energy to do anything, and to hype him up into an excited state would be dangerous.

He could never chase birds again, or run with his friends. His muscle mass would quickly fade. He would lose interest in life.

His tail would never wag.

I couldn’t let him be like that. It’s not living life.

So I made the decision for Dozer to undergo surgery to tie back one larynx which would help clear his airway to allow more oxygen into his lungs.

The surgery itself was not complicated (I’m told) though I was warned of a mortality of 1 in 10, I understand relating to post op complications. Which, as you can imagine, had me in a flood of hysterical tears at the thought of losing Dozer.

The surgery went fine!

So, this update post is live and in real time. Dozer went in for surgery yesterday at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (“SASH”) in North Ryde which is only 15 minutes from my house. His operation was fine, no complications.

The vets and surgeons there are incredible. They called me just before he went into surgery and when he finished. They sent me photos and reports at the end of the day. And it will come as no surprise to you that I called for an update in the middle of the night and 6 am this morning. 😊

This is a photo from inside the ICU from last night:

Look how plump and soft that pillow looks!

He’s home 🥰

After a night in ICU, he’s home. He’s absolutely exhausted, still recovering from the anaesthetic I presume. He’s breathing heavily from swelling around his air passageways. He’s very wobbly on his feet, he can barely stand, let alone walk.

And he’s got a nice big shaved patch on the left side of his neck, revealing skin more wrinkly and flabby than I expected! They went in from the outside of his neck to operate on his larynx.

He’s snoring like a trooper in his favourite place – under the dining table, surrounded by his most precious possessions. I’m so happy he’s back home!

Why I’m not celebrating – yet

While the operation did not have any complications, you might be sensing a lack of happiness in this post. And that’s because he’s not in the clear yet.

His breathing still sounds raspy because of swelling inside his oesophagus from the operation. The vet tells me it could be up to two weeks before the swelling goes down and we can hear if it has improved his breathing.

Secondly, the operation does not come without consequences. With his larynx tied back, he is now at greater risk of lung infections. Which means:

  • no swimming – the beach is his favourite place in the world 😢

  • no more random treats. He needs special lung infection “safe” food that will slide down his throat – like slippery meatballs

  • no bones – danger of little bits flying into his lungs too great

So, there will be a new life routine to figure out. And a whole lot of research and recipe development to create new safe Dozer-food.

But I’m so hopeful that he will be able to get back to some level of normalcy in his active life!

Why I’m telling you

I always swore that I wouldn’t use my website as a platform to mope and moan about headaches. And I actually did not intend to make this news about Dozer public until after the surgery and once I knew the surgery was a success.

However, I felt like I had to explain myself as a result of this media piece due to cancelling an event I was due to be at in Adelaide this week. Not explaining myself to the media, but to questions that I received from the RecipeTin community – understandably so after cancelling a reader dinner just a few days prior.

All these questions came from a place of concern and kindness. And that’s what made me decide to explain what was happening on social media – and now here on my website. If you’d like a little more background, I made a little video on Instagram – you can watch it here.


☀️ On the brighter side! ☀️

All that said and done, I can’t finish this post on a sombre note! And even with all the worry, we’ve had some lighter moments throughout the last couple of weeks. Here are some of my favourites!

1. Realisation: ONLY LARGE TREATS

Yes, you heard me right. Gone are the days I’d save a tiny scrap of my steak for him. Small = unsafe because it could fly into his lungs! It has to be a 2.5cm / 1″ piece that will slide down his throat safely.

Yes, you heard me right. It is unsafe to give Dozer tiny scraps of food. You must give him large pieces of your steak from hereon!

2. REALISATION: he can do what he wants

“Don’t stress him out!!” is the mantra around here these days. Agitated Dozer means distressed breathing which has to be avoided.

Which means – if he doesn’t want to do it, no one is allowed to force him. Plonks himself in the middle of the kitchen? Everybody walks around him. Doesn’t want to go upstairs to my bedroom? I move my bed downstairs. Nudges you for a belly rub? You better drop everything and rub away, lest he starts barking (bad for his throat!!).

Yes, what Dozer wants, Dozer gets. I can’t quite believe we’ve ended up in this position either. (Though note: hopeful once he has fully recovered from his operation, King Dozer may be dethroned!)

3. I NEVER GOT FLOWERS THAT BIG!

Seriously. He got flowers. Even on my sickest of sickest days, I can tell you that I NEVER got flowers as big as Dozer did!

4. scavenging until the very end

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone that I baked for the vet hospital. 🙂 Especially on surgery day when I couldn’t work or sleep, I just baked, baked, baked and took them in with me when I dropped Dozer on surgery day.

And right up until that very last moment when they took him away, he was sniffing the warm muffins, hopeful for a little taste. That’s my boy!

5. dozer’s big heart

And lastly, my favourite. When the vet showed me Dozer’s X-rays, he noted that Dozer has a nice big heart.

I told him that we didn’t need an X-ray to know that. ❤️

I love you, Dozer.

You’ve been the one constant in my life since the moment I got you. You love unconditionally. You’re unwaveringly faithful. You want to be friends with everyone.

I have wanted you all my life. But I waited and waited until I knew I was in a position to be able to care for you properly, when I was done with the corporate world, travelling overseas and working long hours in the city.

I knew you would need care and attention as you grew older. You’re so fit and healthy for your age, but it was inevitable that time would catch up with you one day.

Whatever the coming years bring, I will be here for you to do whatever I can to make your life happy and comfortable.

I love you with all my heart, Dozer. – Nagi x

Update: Dozer is doing so well! Read the next Dozer update here and also live updates in the Life of Dozer section in each of the recipes I published after this post. Thank you all for caring so much about his well being, he feels very loved! – Nagi x

Dozer and Nagi on the couch

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11 years of Dozer! https://www.recipetineats.com/11-years-of-dozer/ https://www.recipetineats.com/11-years-of-dozer/#comments Wed, 26 Apr 2023 04:56:07 +0000 https://www.recipetineats.com/?p=87288 Dozer 11th birthday with pupcakesIt’s Dozer’s 11th birthday today! Take a trip down memory lane as we look back over the last 11 years of Life of Dozer. From discount dog to cover boy, his life has been as full as ….. well, his tummy. 😂 11 years with Dozer! How time has flown! In recent years, I’ve shared... Get the Recipe

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It’s Dozer’s 11th birthday today! Take a trip down memory lane as we look back over the last 11 years of Life of Dozer. From discount dog to cover boy, his life has been as full as ….. well, his tummy. 😂

If you look closely, you’ll spy his pink tongue behind the candles – he’s mid lick!! Cheeky bugger!
Dozer’s 11th birthday pupcakes!

11 years with Dozer! How time has flown!

In recent years, I’ve shared dog friendly cakes and cupcakes for Dozer’s birthday. This year, I thought it might be fun to do something a little different and share a look-back over the last 11 years of Dozer’s life! Are you ready?? Here we go!

Finding Dozer – Bargain of my life

What, I never told you I got him for half price??? WHAT A BARGAIN! 🙌🏻

Yes, the day I got Dozer was one of the best days of my life. And it should only be because that was the day I found Dozer, but it’s not. It’s also because I got him for 50% off. 😂 I’m almost ashamed at how delirious I was. I couldn’t believe my luck!

In case you are wondering – he was discounted because he was the last puppy left and the breeder wanted to move him on. He will always be the bargain of my life!

The thrill didn’t last for long though when he proceeded to throw up in the car for the entire 90 minute drive home….

Settling in

Ahh, memories of Dozer’s first year! It’s hard to believe that this fur ball who has now clearly established himself as the king of the house was once so shy he’d sleep with his head buried in cushions…..

Suffice to say his shyness rapidly vanished as he made himself at home. Kleenex puppy!

And one of my favourite photos of puppy Dozer – the first day I took him down to the beach.

Growing up

My first memory of Dozer before he even turned 1? Outgrowing my zippy little convertible, a hangover from my corporate days.

I had such dreams of zipping around town with the roof down, my hair billowing gracefully in the wind and Dozer perched up in the seat beside me. What a vision!

Well, that never eventuated. He grew so big before he turned 1, he couldn’t fit in the car seat. Also, he also hated the wind in his eyes. So when I put the top down he’d curl up tightly in the seat, head buried in his paws, looking completely miserable.

So that dream was shot down pretty fast. 🤣

So, I downgraded and upsized my car. Enough room for a growing Dozer and his mates!

Not a cute cuddler

As he grew into his giant paws and became a man-dog, it became apparent that he was not going to be one of those cuddly, chilled out Goldies. Nope. He was high energy, living life to the max!

You wouldn’t catch me jumping off jetties into murky waters, but he never hesitates. Those darn fish! He just can’t resist them!

Ah yes, and tug of war. His favourite game!

Yep, he’s definitely at his happiest when he’s out and about! (Or eating).

Dozer smiling Port Stephens May 2019

Injuries

But with high energy comes injuries. In Dozer’s case, regularly cutting his paw pads on oyster shells littered on the shore that he’d sprint across madly, truly believing that he had a real chance of catching that seagull.

But the only thing he’d take home was shredded paws.

Keeping his cuts clean of dirt was somewhat of a challenge – YOU try to explain to Dozer not to run around a muddy yard when he has bandaids on! I resorted to various methods – socks. And cling wrap, so it seems.🤣

Over the years he’s had more than his share of injuries which comes with a highly active dog. Joint issues, pulled muscles, strained back, knee replacement. That one was not fun – a big surgery and 3 month of keeping him quiet. Quite a challenge for Dozer!

The harness in the photo above was for me to support him so he could walk outside to go to the toilet.

The other challenge was the head cone which is used to stop dogs from licking wounds. Dozer, being the big buff-head that he is, just couldn’t deal with a giant flappy plastic cone around his head. So I ended up resorting to a blow-up ring which he found much more comfortable with the added bonus of amusement for me.

Mind you, he had the last laugh. He totally embraced it:

I’m thankful he’s managed to come back from all of these injuries and he’s in fine, fit form at 11! I mean, does this look like a senior citizen to you??

Ridiculous outfits

Everybody knows that Dozer’s had me wrapped around his paw since the day I got him. But with love comes laughter – and he’s provided plenty of that over the years with the various outfits he’s been squeezed into!

Which one is your favourite??

Dozer golden retriever Mother's Day tux flowers

Me? It’s hard to go past the Dozer tux shot. I mean – come on!!! Look at him. ADORABLE.

On the job

And a look-back on Dozer’s past 11 years would not be complete without snippets of his life on the job! Squeezing himself under tables laden with food I’m photographing……particularly alarming given his size. If he lifted his head, those meatballs would go flying!!

He lifted his head and the meatballs went flying.......

And when I say “squeezing himself under tables”, I mean it. Look at him, squished under this tiny table. Does he not understand his size???

And as my confidence in photography grew and I moved into videos, I invested in more equipment. More valuable equipment for Dozer to squeeze himself under and around.

It shocks me that we’ve had no equipment casualties due to Dozer. SHOCKS me.

Cover boy!

A DOG on the cover of a cookbook??? I am not sure my publisher, Ingrid, ever envisioned her career would involve working with an author who insisted on her dog being on the cover. 😂

Dinner cookbook by Nagi Maehashi from RecipeTin Eats
Cover of the Australian/NZ edition

As crazy as it may sound, the thought of making a cookbook without Dozer (heavily) featured was never even a consideration. Not just because I am a crazy dog lady (note singular, not plural), but also because he is part of the identity of this website and has been by my side since the day I created RecipeTin Eats. The “Life of Dozer” section has appeared in every post I have published since 2016, pursuant to demand by readers for regular Dozer updates. And he was the one constant throughout the seemingly endless months of late nights working on the cookbook.

And thus, it is fitting that he be by my side on the cover, and plastered on big light walls in shopping centres across Australia!!

Nagi Dozer lightwave Big W book singing Warringah Mall

I especially love that no one knows how to pronounce my name. So when I went into shops, I was being stopped by people who exclaimed “Oh! You’re Dozer’s mum!” 😂 I’ll take that!!

Oh, also, let’s not forget that time he became a POSTER boy too – the proudest moment of his life!! (And let’s all pretend that the poster is not on a spider-web covered stinky doggie poo bin).

Post of Dozer on dog poo garbage bin

He did have one or two moments in the media though, without poo bins prominently featured……😂

Ah Dozer! Who would’ve thought a discount dog would have such experiences!!!


Happy 11th birthday Dozer!

You were a seriously adorable puppy, but I love you more today than I ever have.

You will always be the bargain of my lifetime. I know that my business – this website, my cookbook – would not be what it is if it weren’t for you being such an integral part of it.

Plus, you just make life fun and happy!

I was going to say that I’ll do something special for your birthday day. But honestly, it’s like every day is your birthday. It’s not possible for me to hug you more, to give you more treats, more bites of my own meals, give you tastier food or take you out to play more.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy birthday Dozer! ~ Nagi x

Nagi hugging Dozer 11th birthday

OK Dozer. Go for it!!!

In case you are wondering what we’re celebrating Dozer’s 11th birthday with – it’s Pupcakes, with a peanut butter flavour that dogs are made for! Swirled up with fluffy doggy-friendly “frosting”.

Pupcakes for Dozer's 11th birthday

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