I am looking for the return address of some readers who sent me beautiful notes and gifts when Dozer crossed the rainbow bridge. If you sent one of the cards or items pictured in this post, please contact me on lookingfor@recipetineats.com so I can thank you properly! 🥰
When the internet became real-world kindness
It’s been 3 months and 9 days since I said goodbye to Dozer. Everybody knew I’d fall apart. What no one expected, least of all me, was the incredible outpouring of support that followed – emails, messages, cards, letters, flowers, and gifts sent from readers around the world.
Every email, message and comment I received mattered, and carried me through some very sad days. The kindness so many of you showed by taking the time to write and reach out made this fast-paced virtual online world feel far more real and human than I ever could have imagined
It is something I will never take for granted and will always be grateful for. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Looking for readers
As I’ve been working my way through sending thank you notes, I’ve realised I’m missing return addresses for some of the beautiful notes and gifts that were mailed to me. Labels that got washed away in the rain, some items got separated from envelopes, and others didn’t have return addresses that I could see.
So today, I’m doing something a little unusual – a post to try to find the kind people who took the time to send mail to me, but whose return addresses I don’t have, so I can properly thank them.
I know it might sound extreme to some people to dedicate a whole post to finding a handful of people – but this is me, it’s how I roll, and I’d be doing this post even if I was looking for just one reader.
Was this from you?
If you recognise a card or item listed as yours and would be comfortable providing me with your postal address, please email your details to lookingfor@recipetineats.com!
1. Flowers from karen in geelong
This was the first gift that arrived for Dozer when he was at the vet hospital, from Karen in Geelong. I kept them in a basket attached to a beeping machine Dozer was hooked up to. Nice decorative touch to the ICU, I thought! 🥰 He loved them so much, even in his unwell state, he had a lick to check if they were edible. That was my Dozer. 🥰
2. friendship bracelets
These actually arrived in December but between Christmas holidays, annual leave then Dozer being hospitalised, I didn’t receive them until the day I said goodbye to him. I’ve worn them almost every day since. Thank you Christine, Monique and Harriet. These are extra special to me.
3. ADORABLY WONKY DONKEY
Robyn told me to give him a squeeze when I felt sad, and he’d bring me comfort. I have been doing as suggested! ❤️
4. t-shirt and toy
From Donna, a plush and t-shirt that made me laugh!
5. charm from kate
Helium balloon card and gold necklace with a charm from Kate. I’ve been wearing the necklace every single day. ❤️
6. BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE from emily-rose
Thank you for taking the time to write and post this card to me, Emily-Rose. It’s so nice to receive mail in the letterbox that’s not a bill! ❤️
7. A THOUGHTFUL CARD from bonnie
Thank you for your thoughtful message and card, Bonnie. Acts of kindness like this meant so much to me during such a sad time. ❤️
8. FLOWERS DELIVERED TO RTM
The lovely native arrangement below was delivered to RTM with a handwritten card but no name. The only clue I have is that the flowers were delivered from Sydney Flowers in North Ryde. Was this from you?
9. A COOKBOOK FROM MARTIN
A beautiful, hefty (!) cookbook by the late great Greg Malouf, gifted by Martin from Hornsby Heights. Martin, I grew up in Asquith, next door!
10. FLOWERS LEFT OUTSIDE RTM FOR DOZER
To the beautiful, kind people who left flowers for Dozer outside RTM, I would love to know who you are so I can thank you properly. (On a separate note, I am sad to report the flower thief is back to his/her naughty ways. 😢 I am seriously contemplating putting a camera out the front of RTM!)
Are you missing from The List?
If you sent me a letter, flowers or gift and provided a return address, keep an eye out on your mailbox in the coming week! If you sent me something and your item is not listed above, and you do not receive post from me in the next fortnight, please contact me on lookingfor@recipetineats.com with a description of what you sent so I can try to track it down. ❤️
Special note to SASH and the team who were there with me at the end
I haven’t forgotten you. Not for a second. In truth, yours are the hardest notes for me to write because what you did for Dozer, and for me, meant so much that I genuinely don’t know where to begin. It feels too important to reduce to words that don’t feel enough. But I will. ❤️
– Nagi x
Remembering Dozer
Today two years ago. This series of photos is exactly how I want to remember Dozer. ❤️
It’s that time of year when we’re well on our way into winter, so you’d think I might have skipped the regular beach visits, especially given it was a decent trek after I moved away from the Northern Beaches.
But nope. On went the puffy jacket, thermal leggings and gumboots, and off we’d go into the chilly winds. The beach was where he was happiest, and there was no way I was going to deprive him of that. ❤️
These photos were taken by Rob Palmer for Tonight. We took a LOT of photos on that day! Dozer really got used to being in front of the lens. 🥰 It came with the job!
Beautiful message. Dozer knew only love and kindness all his life. I wish all dogs could have the life that Dozer had with you. Xx
I am saddened to hear of Dozer’s passing. We were caught up in dealing with health problems for both my husband and me. As a result, I have been out of tourch with your website. My apologies and my deepest sympathy for your loss. I will miss his presence on your website. Sincerely, Mary
What a beautiful post! Sharing the support and love you received after Dozer’s passing affirms the kindness and connection still in the world.
Well, this made me tear up. Especially the beautiful Dozer photos. Such a precious boy and wonderful memories for you. Your amazing down to earth giving personality (and your fabulous recipes)i are why so many people love you and sent you various forms of condolences. I look forward to seeing more Dozer every week. Sending hugs from Canada.🇨🇦
Dear Nagi,
I cried for you and Dozer at his passing. But I had no address to send you a card. But know I was truly sorry for your loss. I so looked forward to your post with receipts and Dozer. And you are a beautiful person so happy we have a connection.
Dear Nagi, seeing your post today really just clarified JUST how loving and caring you are. I think all of us can identify with your feeling the love from each and every one of the letters, gifts/flowers and comments that people sent. But the idea that you would try to personally thank each person, and go farther to try to get the contact info if it wasn’t readily available, just shows how deeply caring and loving you are.
I was not one of the people who sent anything (other than a comment on this space when sweet Dozer passed), but I know that all of those who did send gifts/letters are blown away by your gratitude.
It just reinforces what my fellow Nagi fans are saying in the comments —- that this is a special place of love and community, and that YOU make it so. Thank you from all of us. Sending love and hugs!
This is delightful way to say Thank you & continue the joy out of sorrow. Thank you for sharing & for your recipes.
I am not one of the physical mail senders–but I am crying at the outpouring of love for you and Dozer, which was more than merited. I agree with the poster who said that all of our hearts broke with you, for you, at the passing of Dozer. I also agree this is something you never get over–nor really would want to. Grief is the price we pay for love, and Dozer was Pure Love. I hope you are able to respond to all the lovely people who sent you tangible thoughts of love and sympathy so your heart can be at ease. May the love and memory of Dozer continue to hold you and comfort you in this difficult time.
What beautiful comments. I love that you are thanking people for their beautiful gifts. Having lost a deer pad and friend, I know we are paying and sorrow. After a while it doesn’t hurt so much because now I remember all the good times. I hope that happens for you. Dozer was your companion and friend and people who don’t have pets don’t understand but I hope that you are suffering love and it seems like you are surrounded by a lot of love
such a hard time! Makes me sad for you! Our most true friend is a furry one,,,they love us no matter what we do, even when we are late with their dinner…but even then they forgive us.They leave a pawprint on our hearts and the happy photos help us heal. He was a lucky boy and hope you find a new furry boy to hug and love on…makes life full and rich and each day better.
I just learned your perfect soulmate Dozer crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is running in flower covered meadows above the ocean’s forever beach shores. His heart is still beating in this heavenly place waiting for you many years from now to come across that bridge and join him forever in the shining joy that you both shared on earth but will shine once again many years which to Dozer now is only minutes.
This is delightful way to say Thank you & continue the joy out of sorrow. Thank you for sharing & for your recipes.
Nagi, I wish with all my heart that you didn’t have to feel this pain, but life n love happen. And. So do wonderful people. Bless your heart for reaching out to thank each one of them. You are the BEST!
How thoughtful of you, you are the glue that makes us all family.
Awwww Nagi, so beautiful . You have me sobbing all over again! I love your recipes, have your cookbooks, but the REAL reason I tuned in was for Dozer, and now for the Remembering Dozer section. Love love love him
Kathy – martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA
so sorry for the loss of your beloved dozier! our pets are family & we love them like family! cherish your memories & know he knew he was loved!
Nagi, I’m not one of the people that sent you a gift. You are so thoughtful as to want to respond to those that did. I hope you can heal from all of the kind words your readers have sent you. Helen
I love these memories of Dozer. We took our own little golden to the beach many years ago – she was not impressed. She was afraid of the waves! Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I love your recipes but I always love Dozer stories!
So sorry to hear about Dozer. I had open heart surgery in Jan. and this is the first time coming to your site. Naturally he was the first thing I looked for. We lost a chocolate lab after 7 years and the sadness continues but so does the memories.
First, I I did not send any of these amazing gifts. They are from àsome very special people.
But this brings me to the point of this comment. This isn’t just another recipe site. The recipes are great and inspiring and I have tried many, but the reason that I get excited every time I get a RTE email is that I feel like I’m meeting up with friends. And not just the whole crew of RTE workers, but the readers who comment. There is genuine camaraderie behind the whole group. The RTE site is positive, friendly, fun, and inspiring. I’ve got 2 of your cookbooks and I love them, but they don’t and can’t have all that wonderful community camarderie. I look at the books as photos of the parties that RTE hosts, great for reference, but the RTE friends and family make it an event. My love to all.
Lisa, I couldn’t agree more. I read dozens of similar posts each day, but this is the one I most anticipate.