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
Awwww…Nagi…. What an adorable little bundle of love !
Little Jaffle is going to keep you on your toes for a few months and you will love every bit of it ! 😂. I have no doubt that your beautiful Dozer chose Jaffle for you and He will look after his little brother from wherever He is. Welcome to your new home sweet Jaffle. Wishing you a long life of happiness with your Mummy.
So very happy for you! I know you will enjoy a lifetime of love. X
He’s beautiful what a blessing, my daughter has got a 5 month old chocolate lab who has just stole our hearts, have fun both 💙
What a lovely post to start the day! Simply gorgeous cute puppy and a very happy looking Nagi. To me, you look made for each other x
Congratulations Nagi Jaffle is ADORABLE. So looking forward to seeing and reading about his new adventures that await. No doubt that Dozer played a big part in choosing the right puppy for you. Expect to see a lot of that beautiful boy Dozer in Jaffle just to show you he is always around. XO
Perfect puppy who will help heal your heart. Very glad you’ve been brave enough to go back for more retriever shenanigans.
Congrats Nagi. Welcome Jaffle (Love the name)
We have a 20 month old Goldie that we got partly after seeing your joy with Dozer.
So cheeky and loving. He has changed our lives. I’m sure Jaffle will be a wonderful taste tester.
Interested to hear what a ‘jaffle’ is in Oz. Here in the UK, we call them ‘Brevilles’ after the brand of toasted sandwich maker that popularised these in the 80’s (with the nuclear-hot cheese that scalded your mouth…)
So, if you were British, he’d be called Breville 🤣
Dozer will never be forgotten. Grief takes time but Dozer would have led you to Jaffle.Dozer wouldn’t want you to be lonely but who knows, it may be dozer reincarnated. Well done Nagi.
Oh Nagi! Congratulations! I’m so very happy for you. I know Dozer will never be replaced but I hope Jaffle heals your heart. Looking forward to the stories. Welcome to our world Jaffle.
He’s adorable! Having raised Dobermans for over 30+ years, I know more than I wish I did about the cycle of life.
So thrilled for you Nagi. The universe works in mysterious ways and I’m sure your beautiful boy Dozer had a paw in bringing Jaffle into your life. Enjoy the breathtaking beauty (and chaos) of puppydom!!
My border collie gets so excited when she sees a goldie at the park. They are perpetual playful puppies. I think Dozer would be relieved that you were being cared for by another loving dog. ❤️❤️
Congratulations, Nagi
Ohhh, who could resist that little heart-stealer? Nagi, you have so much love to share with Jaffle, what a lucky little boy he is. Much love from Spain x
Welcome to the family Jaffle! Congratulations Nagi! He is just beautiful. Good luck with the puppy stage! Can’t wait to get the updates.
So glad to see Junior Dozer coming into your life?
I have been following Dozer from the very beginning of your posts and of course your delightful recipes.
Just remember that it was time for Dozer to go to his next chapter and if you don’t pass, then you can’t go to heaven?
He is looking down and I’m sure he has approved of your choice.?
All the best – Guy
Sobbing here too, but so happy for you at the same time, looking forward to the next chapter but never forgetting Dozer. Lots of love 💕
I’m not looking forward to losing my little girl Marlee, a Mini-Foxy Russell. She’s 17 years old and possibly totally blind, and mostly deaf.
I’m requesting assistance with getting a recipe. The main ingredients are banana and sweet potato. I’m trying to use Ancient grain flour. I’ve tried Spelt flour. I mash the banana and scrape out the sweet potato from the cooked skins, and mash. And mix. I’ve been adding a few eggs to help bind the mix. I’ve been trying approx 1 cup of flour to 1 cup of banana/sweet potato mix. No sweetener is needed. Usually I get 4 cooked ones out of 12 muffins. I don’t count the ones that breakup before I get the whole muffin out of the mold.
Can anyone assist?
This is so lovely to read, smiles and tears.
I firmly believe that we are sent the dog to love when we are ready. Melba arrived a few months after we lost Mr Maybe, our Australian G R, and 15 months after we lost Keava. I’m sure Keava had a Paw in this 😀
The empty house soon becomes home again filled with new life and very exciting opportunities ahead for you both. Good luck with the puppy training. I am looking forward to hearing about the mischief Jaffel gets into and his first trip to the beach.
The heart expands to fit all the new love in alongside the special place Dozer has. Xx
Oh my Nagi, Jaffle is GORGEOUS. The loss of a fur baby is nearly as hard as losing a child. It is so damn painful, as time moves on and you start to see the sun shine down on you again, a new puppy is the best medicine. Not so you can forget Dozer, but to lighten your heart and make new memories with another. Jaffle too will steal your heart as he is doing already, and Dozer will be keeping him in check to become the new taste tester for many years to come. Enjoy your new addition, I hope he will bring you much Love ❤️