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
Happy new year to you both. What a lovely story. Read it to the grandies. Loved it. Looking forward to more delicious recipes. X
loved the interview! and enjoy your receipes, have a wonderful new year.
Wonderful post to end the year! And thanks for bringing a smile to my face.
Dear Nagi and Dozer,
Thank you for an excellent interview… Thanks for your recipes and have a wonderful 2021.
the modesty flower made me laugh. cute post!
Greetings from Canada where we still have a few hours left before we leave 2020 behind. Thank you SO much for your terrific posts, Nagi – you are truly the best! I tried your slow cooked turkey crown recipe on Christmas Day. I used my large Le Creuset Dutch oven at 175F in the oven for 5 hours, and it was the best ever. The gravy was fabulous! I also made your mum’s Japanese cheesecake, and surrounded it with fresh cherries – delicious. I always look forward to your posts, and the photos of your most handsome official taste tester, Dozer. The interview in Dogue Magazine was excellent, and I can see how he became such a canine star ⭐️ 🦮Wishing you and Dozer a very healthy and happy 2021. Hugs to both of you, and huge thanks for brightening up 2020 for so many devoted fans. 🤗🤗
hahaaa…yes, that made me laugh too!!!😅🥰😍🤩
Loved the interview! What a brilliant idea. You made me smile. I usually read about Dozer before reading your recipes which I love and cook a lot. Wish you and Dozer a happy new year! Stay safe and healthy!
Love from Minnesota
Thank you for this candid interview. I must admit I go straight to Dozer’s photos, then to your blog. Wishing you both a happy and healthy New Year.
Happy New Year to Dozer and his mum. Great interview. Just what we needed to end 2020. It’s December 31 here in Rhode Island, USA. Looking forward to more Dozer and great recipes from his mum. You always bring a smile with your food, humor and photos (of Dozer, of course).
I loved your interview, I think all our dogs are pretty much represented by Dozer’s comments. And thank you for not doing the baby talk that seems so prevalent on you tube etc….hate that
Forgot Happy New Year to you both!! Looking forward to more Dozer and more recipes.
From Diana in North Carolina
Thanks for a delightful interview with the handsome Dozer. I truly enjoy your column and enjoy reading about Dozer. Happy New Year to You and Dozer.
Love the interview and Love Dozer! So glad you share him with us. He makes me smile and makes my day. Love your recipes too. So good. Thank you.
Happy New Year from Canada. Love Dozer & your recipes. St Bernard Shiloh & Camo send you big doggy hugs.
Hi Dozer, Thank you sooo much for sharing some of the “real doggie” secrets behind the glamorous facade you regularly exude to us Dozer-fans. What a treat! (Pun intended.)
I love love love this post the. best of 2020. Some foods I can cook and some I cant but a feast of Dozer is what I can have everyday.
It brightens my day to no end, Dozer is definitely the food mascot. I look forward to all your emails and race to the end of it just to see Dozer.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful dog with us, hope he can read all these comments and enjoy them
doggie hugs
I absolutely enjoyed this post! It brightened my day quite a bit 😊
But I always enjoy Dozer stories but most of all I really enjoy your recipes, I really appreciate you sharing them. Thank you and Cheers to a better 2021 🥂
I love the interview so much, its very funny, i which you and Dozer a happy new year, a lot happiness, health and much success.
Thank you read Nagi and Dozed for a wonderful year of fabulous recipes and stories. Please know that you are a highlight of my cooking experiences as I have never failed to be impressed by your. recipies. God bless …
What a wonderful, funny post!
Thanks for making my day brighter!! Happy New Year.
Love your recipes too!
Happy new year Nagi and Dozer. Thank you for helping our family during lockdown in 2020. We made your bread, flat bread, curries etc during that time, love from New Zealand.