Its Dozers 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!
11 years with Dozer!
How time has flown!
In recent years, Ive shared dog friendlycakesandcupcakesfor Dozers birthday.
Dozer’s 11th birthdaypupcakes!
Are you ready??
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 its not.
Its also because I got him for 50% off.
Im almost ashamed at how delirious I was.
I couldnt believe my luck!
He will always be the bargain of my life!
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.
Well, that never eventuated.
He grew so big before he turned 1, he couldnt fit in the car seat.
Also, he also hated the wind in his eyes.
So that dream was shot down pretty fast.
So, I downgraded and upsized my car.
Enough room for a growing Dozer and his mates!
He was high energy, living life to the max!
You wouldnt catch me jumping off jetties into murky waters, but he never hesitates.
He just cant resist them!
Ah yes, and tug of war.
Yep, hes definitely at his happiest when hes out and about!
(Or eating).
Injuries
But with high energy comes injuries.
But the only thing hed take home was shredded paws.
I resorted to various methods socks.
And cling wrap, so it seems.
Over the years hes 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 other challenge was the head cone which is used to stop dogs from licking wounds.
Mind you, he had the last laugh.
I mean, does this look like a senior citizen to you??
Which one is your favourite??
Its hard to go past the Dozer tux shot.
I mean come on!!!
Squeezing himself under tables laden with food Im photographing……particularly alarming given his size.
If he lifted his head, those meatballs would go 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 weve had no equipment casualties due to Dozer.
Cover boy!
The harness in the photo above was for me to support him so he could walk outside to go to the toilet.
A DOG on the cover of acookbook??
And he was the one constant throughout the seemingly endless months of late nights working on the cookbook.
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!
Ill take that!!
(And lets all pretend that the poster is not on a spider-web covered stinky doggie poo bin).
Who wouldve 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.
Plus, you just make life fun and happy!
I was going to say that Ill do something special for your birthday day.
But honestly, its like every day is your birthday.
And I wouldnt have it any other way.
Happy birthday Dozer!~ Nagi x
OK Dozer.
Go for it!!!
Swirled up with fluffy doggy-friendly frosting.
Cover of the Australian/NZ edition
