Dozer's Story - In Memory

In 2009, we made the bold decision to take a career break from our corporate jobs and embark on a journey of travel. We packed our bags and set off, spending a few months exploring the USA, before completely changing up our travel style to explore Europe in our trusty motorhome, affectionately known as Lefty (because it was left-hand drive). During this incredible adventure, we often found ourselves talking about what we wanted life to look like when we returned. One thing kept coming up; we desperately wanted a dog. And so, it was on this very trip that we decided our next big adventure would be bringing a puppy into our lives.

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When we returned home, we dove into researching breeders, and just a few weeks later, we went to meet some litters. We’ll never forget meeting Dozer’s breeder, who, after we said we needed some time to think it over, asked us, “Are you in or out?” We were in. All in. Since we were last on the list, we didn’t choose our puppy from the litter, but we like to think fate played a hand in selecting the most perfect boy for us. Dozer came home with us in July 2009, and from that moment on, it was always the three of us.

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The first few months were challenging as we settled into new routines. We were learning, often crying but also laughing, and finding immense joy in this small, shark-toothed monster we had welcomed into our lives. We enrolled him in puppy training classes, where both humans and puppies made lifelong friends. We introduced him to Lefty, travelling to Scotland and exploring the highlands together, even taking him up a cable car to the top of Ben Nevis. Dozer was the ultimate adventure dog, but he also loved his cozy spot on the sofa, often stealing a cushion to rest his head on, which he’d insist we chase him around the house with.

 

He adored the beach, and we shared many memorable walks there at sunset and lowtide, though it was a given that he would find a stinky dead fish to try and eat. Dozer had a special way of pushing his head through your legs, asking for a scratch near his tail, or as we affectionately called it, a “bum rub.” It was all well and good until he decided to do it to complete strangers, running up to them and thrusting his head between their legs. Then we’d have to explain, “Oh, he just wants you to scratch his bum!”

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We adjusted our jobs to make sure we were home with him as much as possible, and Sarah even took a job that allowed her to bring Dozer to the office with her. They’d walk in the woods with colleagues—both human and dog—before work, at lunch, and after work. As Dozer grew older, slowing down and having a few unexplained “funny turns,” we made the decision to never holiday without him again. While we rarely travelled abroad, most of our annual leave was spent exploring the UK with him.

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In 2022, we bought our first caravan—a small, second-hand 2-berth Coachman Amara. Dozer absolutely loved adventuring in the caravan, especially enjoying people-watching at campsites. As time went on, we made modifications to the caravan to ensure he could still enjoy trips with us—a ramp to help him in and out, and a buggy to push him in when his legs were tired. We even upgraded to a new caravan with a fixed bed to give him a little more space.

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Watching a beloved dog age is a painful privilege, and eventually, our adventures together came to an end in October 2024. We had one last trip together to Back of Beyond, one of Dozer’s favorite campsites in Dorset. It was one of the first campsites we visited with him in Lefty all those years ago, and we’d returned many times since.

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Shortly before that trip, Dozer was diagnosed with a melanoma which grew quickly and aggressively. Our vet gave him two months. We had just three short weeks before our goodbye came all too quickly. He always loved being outside and we said goodbye under the dappled shade of a tree, nestled amongst the grass and leaves, birdsong in the air, a patch of sunlight warm on his fur, holding hands and holding onto him and telling him how much we loved him. We could not have asked for a more peaceful way to say goodbye. Words cannot express how much we loved him and how heartbroken we are from his loss. We are so grateful for the fifteen and a half years of adventures we had together, although the time will never seem like enough. We will have a lifetime of missing him for the privilege of having loved him for the whole of his.

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Though our hearts are heavy and the house feels emptier without him, we take comfort in the many happy memories we shared with Dozer. From our travels around the UK to the simple joy of everyday moments, we loved capturing our adventures together on YouTube. We’re so grateful to have a treasure trove of videos that allow us to relive the laughter, the love, and the joy he brought into our lives. His paw prints are forever left on our hearts, in every corner of our home, and in every place we explored together. Thank you, Dozer, for being the the greatest adventure buddy, our best good boy and a beloved member of our family. You will always be loved, always remembered, and always missed.