Meet Jaffle! Future Chief Taste Tester. Son of a Dozer friend. A little bundle of golden, fluffy joy!
48 hours of instant happiness
I didn’t expect to get a new puppy so soon after saying goodbye to Dozer. To be honest, I wasn’t sure when I’d be ready. And I had it in my head that this time round I’d like to adopt. I’d submitted my application, spoken to Golden Retriever Rescue, and was waiting for the right time and the right dog.
Then I recently found out that Clem, one of Dozer’s friends, had gotten pregnant and had a litter of puppies while I was hiding from the world during the last few months. When I met them, one little fluffball stole my heart immediately. A chunky chunderbum of a boy, destined to be big and gold. Just like Dozer. 🥰
He is not the first goldie that has crossed my path since losing Dozer. But he is the first that felt right. I picked him up 48 hours ago, and he’s already managed to completely wrap me around his chunky little paw. No surprises there!
Jaffle Q&A
Where did you get him from? From Kim Handley of Giltedge Golden Retrievers, a registered NSW breeder whose dogs Dozer used to play with regularly at the beach. Unlike Dozer, Jaffle comes from championship lines and a long pedigree of award-winning golden retrievers. It all sounds very impressive on paper, though around these parts, he’ll be judged on very different criteria!
Who are his parents? Jaffle’s mother is Clem, one of the golden retrievers Dozer used to splash around with at Bayview dog beach every weekend in his younger, wilder days. His father is Linirgor Tomich (“Tommy”), who lives in Falkirk, Scotland. Tommy was the UK Champion and Top Stud Dog in 2025. 😳 I know, right??!!
What are you feeding him? I’m currently giving Jaffle dog food recommended by the breeder – Black Hawk for Large Breed Puppies (kibble) plus Lyka Fresh Lamb Dog Food. I am keen to move him onto a homemade food diet as soon as possible. But I know that puppies need the right nutrients to help them grow which I don’t have knowledge about, so I won’t be making any changes to his diet until I speak to professionals.
Dozer was on homemade food from 4 years old, after falling very ill from a bad batch of a well-respected kibble brand (not Black Hawk! :)). He thrived on it! Everyone, including vet professionals, marvelled at the silkiness of his fur and health in his senior years. I am a big believer in real food for dogs. (And humans 🙂 ). In the end, what took him was complications relating to a neurological disorder (Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy – GOLPP).
How old is he? He’s 11 weeks old! He was born on 25 March 2026. I could’ve picked him up a few weeks earlier but I was away in Japan until the weekend. I can’t believe how much he’s grown since I first met him a month ago!
Right at home in the kitchen!
It’s only been 48 hours, but he’s already right at home in the kitchen! I’m going to have to get cracking with the training. Can’t have him stealing food from the pantry or off the bench – Dozer never did that!!
And while it’s early days (ie. still a nervous new puppy owner so I’m exercising restraint on the food front!), I am very happy to report that Jaffle is showing great promise for his future role as Chief Taste Tester of RecipeTin. Proof: enthusiastic cheese acceptance…
….and kale rejection.
He gave it a good chew, then spat it out and looked at it with the same expression Dozer did, like he couldn’t believe I was trying to pass it off as food. 😂
The pitter patter of paws
The house sounds different now. Like home again. The pitter patter of paws on the floorboards, toys scattered in corners, countless little wet patches (I forgot how much puppies pee!) and a little golden shadow following me around everywhere I go.
I know many of you loved Dozer, and I hope you’ll come to love Jaffle too. He’s already brought so much happiness back into my life, in a short 48 hours.
I look forward to watching him grow up with all of you! ❤️ – Nagi x
PS A jaffle is a uniquely Australian toasted sandwich made in a special jaffle iron that seals the edges of the bread together while it cooks. The filling gets trapped inside, creating a crispy golden pocket with hot filling in the middle, and the presence of cheese is mandatory in my world. I look forward to sharing a recipe with you!!
Remembering Dozer
And with the introduction of Jaffle comes the retirement of the Dozer section that somehow became the part of every post that you all skipped straight to before even looking at the recipe. You know how much it secretly delighted me every time somebody admitted that. 🥰
I’ve been dreading this day, because stopping the Dozer section makes it seem so final, like I’m losing him all over again.
There will never be a replacement for Dozer. He wasn’t just my dog, he was my sidekick, my shadow, my best friend, and such a huge part of RecipeTin Eats for almost 14 years. So rather than replacing him, I’d much rather think of this as passing the baton to the next generation.
So while Jaffle begins his career as Chief Taste Tester, Dozer will always have a place here. ❤️ The existing Life of Dozer sections will remain, always.
You know I am hopelessly sobbing while I’m writing this post.
But I just realised something. This is my website, and if I feel like sharing a funny Dozer memory, a photo I came across, or a story that makes me smile, then I can. So don’t be surprised if Dozer pops up from time to time. He may have retired from official duties, but he can live on here as much as I want to continue sharing about him.
And honestly, I think Jaffle would be delighted to hear a few stories about the legend who came before him.
Thank you for all the years of sharing the joy that was Dozer. Rest in peace, my darling boy. I will always love you. ❤️ – Nagi x
Very happy for you, Nagi.
Sitting here crying reading your update. So happy for you! After losing two darling Golden boys I’m almost ready. Maybe you should do a dog food recipe section!
He’s just as adorable as Dozer, he’s a dozer 2.0 with his little Jaffie twist. 😉
Losing a pet is hard, and anytime you have Dozer memories share them and let Jackie know he’s got special Sous Chef training coming up! 🤣
Beautiful. I am so happy for you Nagi! ❤️
While I miss Dozer and his loveable nature I feel like I am already in love with this super cute furball already! So looking forward to all the new recipes and furbaby updates will continue!
So glad for you that Jaffle has come into your life! We know that Dozer can never be replaced, but I’m sure he would approve of a small golden taste-tester (apprentice as yet) keeping you company in the kitchen. Sending you both love
Jaffle is adorable – losing your best friend is devastating – I lost my Dalmation, “Chase” after 14 years and then my extremely docile pitbull “Rukus” after 10+ years (I was his step-dog mother). Our dogs give us life –
Nagi, I’m a long time lurker here. I have your first book, have gifted it to several people and quite a few of my “staple” recipes are actually yours. Shhh! I cried when you lost Dozer and you’ve made me cry again today with your tribute to him. I am happy you and Jaffle found each other and look forward to many years of Jaffle updates! Wishing you all the best from IL!
Hi Nagi,
How are you the new master of the kitchen doing.? I hope all is well. Can’t wait to see and read updates. Wonderful rest of the week.
What a blessing! Jaffle is going to have a wonderful and “delicious” life ahead 🤭
Hi Nagi, I’m so happy you found Jaffle, and there was this instant connection.
I have a goldie too but he’s really picky with his kibble. Do you mind sharing what you cooked for Dozer previously when he was on “human” food? I’m wondering how I can make eating more exciting 😉
Thanks
I live in Half Moon Bay, California. I found you online because of the baked fish recipe. I use Chilean sea bass and it’s incredible!!!! But after I bought your cookbook, I fell in love with Dozer, being a retriever lover myself. I know what it’s like to lose these dogs, and it’s heartbreaking. I’m so glad for you that you found this large bundle of joy and affection.
I love your sense of humor, by the way. Enjoy your puppy!
Hi Nagi! I adopted a Black Lab/husky/Newfoundland mix a long time ago. Around 16 weeks old the vet and I discovered that he wasn’t absorbing the proteins/vitamin b’s in his kibble. We tried all the trusted vet kibbles and no luck. His weight was sliding back at this point. I asked vet about the raw food diet for dogs and she asked if I could commit to it. I said yes, so we started it that day. He was 3.5 months old and only about 30lbs. Within 2 weeks he’d gained about 7 lbs and I knew we were on the right track. By 6 months he was 75 lbs and full of energy. A 3 mile walk was normal any time we went out! And he was still full of energy afterwards. I kept him on this diet all his life and probably would have lived to be 16, however due to a few bad falls he was in alot of pain by 14 years. We spent a few months saying goodbye to friends and family before we lost him at an age of 14.5 years old.
So try the raw diet and just watch your little boy grow like a weed and be super healthy!
I even made him dog treats. Good luck!
I can’t believe how far Jaffle can stretch to try to reach that food! He’s a real cutie and will keep you so busy with his hijinks that it will soften a lot of your sorrow. We’ll all remember Dozer and we’ll be looking forward to Jaffle stories and incredible recipes.
You + Jaffle = 5 star recipe!!!
This made me cry. I’m so happy for you Nagi!
Nagi I came here for recipes not these tears.🤧🤧🤧 I’m so happy for you, it’s the joy on your face, warms my heart🥹🥹🥹🥹. WELCOME FLUFFY JAFFLE !!!!!!
Good job on getting another pet sooner than later. The biggest mistake my mom made was waiting years to get more pets. After she finally got more cats, she wished she did it sooner. Thank you for all your hard work. Bought two of your books.
Hey Nagi OMG I AM SO GLAD that you have found another cute special little guy in your life. And whilst he has not replaced Dozer, he is helping you share the grief until we can all accept the fact Dozer had a wonderful life and move on, yet always stay in our memory. And now with Jaffle, WE CAN CREATE NEW ONES. lots of love, Nora p.s i hope your cheeky little puppy behaves and doesn’t be mischievous in the Kitchen!!! 💕
Hey Nagi OMG I AM SO GLAD that you have found another cute special little guy in your life. And whilst he has not replaced Dozer, he is helping you share the grief until we can all accept the fact Dozer had a wonderful life and move on, yet always stay in our memory. And now with Jaffle, WE CAN CREATE NEW ONES. lots of love, Nora p.s i hope your cheeky little puppy behaves and doesn’t be mischievous in the Kitchen!!! 💕😉💫