For the first time ever, Dozer has agreed to sit down with me for a candid interview to share an insight into his life.
In this explosive interview that took place in his very own home, he spills the beans on what it’s really like to live the Life of Dozer!
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Dozer, it’s been a tumultuous year. What’s your take on COVID and how it’s affected your life in 2020?
COVID? What is that, a new snack? I don’t recall getting any.
Errr, no. It’s that world-devastating-virus, the reason your mum has been at home with you 99% of this year. You didn’t notice?
Oh. I thought that was just because she wanted to hang with me. I really was not complaining that she didn’t travel overseas this year.
Though having said that, I do miss my own vacations at the golden retriever boarders’ place…
OK. Well, let’s move onto a topic you are more knowledgable about. I’m fascinated by this job you do – Official Taste Tester. What are your key responsibilities?
My job is to taste food made by my mum that she is considering sharing on this website, and to give honest, objective feedback.
What an interesting job! Do you have any formal qualifications?
No, it’s something I have a natural talent for, and a field that I have always been very interested in.
I do work hard on self education every day, seeking every opportunity to hone my skills and expand my palette, from breakfast, lunch to dinner, from anyone, anywhere. See?
And do you consider yourself a high performer employee?
[Chest puffs with pride] I’ve been told by my mum that my eagerness is commendable and that my passion for food is unrivalled.
She has also praised me for the speed at which I do my job ie. eating the food I am sampling. I am fast!
Your mum cooks a LOT. Do you get to taste test a lot?
Not as much as I am willing to do, that’s for sure. I feel like my mum is suppressing my ability to do my job to the fullest of my abilities.
I’m not sure what you mean. Can you expand on this?
For example, she makes a roast beef. I am the RecipeTin Eats Official Taste Tester. My job is to TASTE IT. Yet, I get nothing more than a tiny sliver. How am I to determine if it is a good recipe or not without a sufficient quantity to sample??
Well Dozer, word on the grapevine is that you think EVERYTHING tastes good…
Tabloid lies! I have a very sophisticated palette. Like – kale. YUCK! Pork crackling. YUM! See?
Err, yes. Excellent examples. So – moving on.
Low point of 2020?
The Mystery Tummy Pain of 2020. Ooooh, that was so painful, I was hiding in far corners of the house curled up in pain. I’m so lucky my mum got me to the emergency hospital so quickly. They thought it was something scary when they started doing tests on me. It turned out to be….well, just gastro.
Wait – so everyone was super stressed about you being seriously sick and it was just gastro? Sounds like a case of Tummy Man Flu, if you ask me…..
[Sulking tone] It was BAD, I’m telling you. Even the vet thought I was like DYING of something nasty! I even turned down roast chicken. Everybody knows that’s my all time favourite food!
Plus, they shaved me to do scans. My privates were exposed for all the world to see. My mum had to use the Modesty Flowers on my photos for weeks!!
High point of 2020?
That Perfect Day, when I bounded out of bed at 6 am, my mum prepared my home cooked meal straight away, then we went off to the dog beach to play with my friends. Came home to a warm shower, snoozed in the sun to dry off.
Chased birds in the backyard, chatted to my neighbours’ dog through a hole in the fence, rolled around on the grass, played with my toys.
Finished off the day with a swim in the pool followed by a big juicy bone, homemade dinner then off to bed.
Sounds delightful Dozer. And when was this Perfect Day?
Yesterday! And the day before. Wait, and the day before that, and the day before that….. 😇
So basically you mean every day is a Perfect Day. That is Life of Dozer!!
What would you say your greatest asset is?
My looks. I’ve been known to make grown men give up an entire drumstick using just my looks.
And finally, I think it’s fitting to finish with this question: Best food memory of 2020?
That time mum was teasing me, showing me a Custard Tart she made with no intention of sharing it with me. Then she dropped it. #Karma
Ha ha! You certainly seem to live a charmed life Dozer!
Thank you for taking the time to chat to me. We look forward to seeing what 2021 holds for Life of Dozer!
Happy New Year everyone! Usually, I’d see out a year with a post filled with party foods to celebrate New Years’ Eve. But given this year will be (very!) quiet for many of us, I thought I’d do something a little different.
Hopefully it gave you a bit of a laugh!
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I won’t miss 2020. We’ve got more challenges ahead in 2021, but surely things can only go one way – UP!
Here’s to better times ahead! Keep smiling, stay safe, and sending big (virtual) hugs to you all!
– Nagi & Dozer xx
Good reading about Dozer and you. You two love each other heaps. Thank you for your cooking and recipes. Love your cooking. Love to see Dozer’s pictures. Love you and Dozer
Pure gold and a great laugh with which to shut down the disaster of 2020.
All the best for 2021, I look forward to your newsletters and recipes so much, especially now (drama going on, yadda yadda!)
Oh Dozer, what a wonderful life! And I am sure that 2021 will be another amazing year for you xx :*)
Great article about Dozer. He has literary talents as well – a well rounded dog.
Love your recipes, but, I love your love for Dozier even more.
Happy New Year from Texas.
Dee
I love you and Dozer. You perfectly capture the obsession we get with our dogs. Especially Golden Retrievers. My Walter died several years ago and I still miss him. I have a new mixed breed dog now and I’m crazy about her. Particularly during this Quarantine. All our dogs are special in their own ways.
I read you for news about Dozed as much as for your great recipes. Keep it up. Have a wonderful 2021.
Patricia – I’m so sorry to hear about Walter, I know how sad you must be. I bet he was really special 🙂 They all are, aren’t they? I’m glad you have another dog. She is lucky to have you! N xx
Thank you Nagi. Thank you for my favourite food blog with each and every recipe a winner.
Here’s to a better new year. Coming from the Northern Beaches we’ve certainly had a terrible ending to this one.
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2021.
I hope you and your human and canine family have a great 2021.
Any chance of getting your recipes for dog breakfast and dinner Nagi? My dog is turning into a wannabe fussy eater princess and rejects my carefully balanced meat loaves and other top quality dog food. I try to starve her into submission but she beats me every time.
I’m a fan! Is Dozer signing autographs? Gorgeous ‘little’ one, 🤣😂 Happy New Year Nagi, to you, Dozer and your family. I can’t wait till 2021 and a new year full of your recipes!
Love Kate xx
Oh, my God, this was so cute! Happy New Year!!
Fabulous! Fabulous! Absolutely loved this! You are quite a team! Thank you Dozer and Nagi!!
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Thank you, this was great! 😊👍🏻
Hahaha!! Nagi, you and Dozer are a powerful funny team. You made me laugh out loud.
I will share this article with my family who think I am a little Nagi & Dozer obsessed!!
Thanks for a terrific year of amazing food, funny antics and emails I look forward to every few days.
Have a blessed New Year
Happy New Year to you both ❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the lighter note to round out the year.
My best of 2020 is your advice to use ghee or clarified butter on popcorn.
Beautiful read, Nagi, beautiful sentiments to end the last few hours of the year. Sounds like a bunch of us want to be Dozer For A Day!! Thank you for all you’ve done and those you’ve helped this year. Mmm, wonder what your first recipe of the new year will be….
This is “GOLD” love the love he has for you and you have for him your both very lucky to have each other . Here’s to 2021 let’s hope our lives get back to normal . And thanks Nagi for sharing your talent your one amazing sole ❤
Love y’all. Thanks for the sweet interview and all your wonderful food. Happy New Year!
Love your recipes.
Made your Broccoli Cheese Balls for Christmas and they were a big hit!
Love the interview with Dozer.
All the best for 2021!
Dozer you are one of a beautiful pupster. That tart must have been one of your best treats yet. Looks as if you really enjoy that golden retriever boarder retreat. But just to let you & Nagi know that I will be on the look out for more wonderful recipes in 2021. Have a wonderful New Year!
To think that if you had not written about Dozer, I would not have started reading your recipes. I am now enjoying both. Thank you. Happy and Healthy 2021 to you and Dozer.
Loved the interview with Dozer. Keep up the good work. You have never posted a recipe I haven’t liked, mostly loved. Thank you! All the best for the new year.