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
I’m not crying, ok, we’re both crying! But what a sweet fluff ball Jaffle is!! I look forward to more recipes and golden furry cuteness. He’s the luckiest dog!
I love Jaffle already. What a cute bundle of Joy for you. Thanks for sharing him with us. How did you choose his name?
❤️🐾❤️
Hi Nagi, and welcome Jaffle😍! I had just started subscribing to your recipe tin’s emails really just prior to Dozer’s passing😢 I am so so happy you got another beautiful goldie😍 He sure is a chunky big boy❤️ I actually hope Jaffle will totally be a different kind of dog from Dozer and will give you lots of troubles😁
I made your apple crumble 2 days ago for the first time in my life (I don’t really cook and bake much less!). It was so delicious and very easy to make. I have to do that again! Thank you for sharing your amazing wonderful vibes, not just your recipes❤️
I am so happy for you! Saying goodbye to a beloved dog has been the worst thing I’ve ever done, so I have felt both sadness and fellowship for you. But now is a new beginning, full of promise and joy. Go for it! ❤️
How about posting your favorite Jaffle Recipes to celebrate your new family member! 🐾 🙂
I would love to give them a try!
Nagi!! I am so happy for you! I can’t live without fur in my life, which is apparent since I have 3 cats and 2 dogs sharing my life. {{{hugs}}}
good bye Dozer , welcome Jaffle.
A little bundle of golden joy he certainly is!!
I wonder which recipe Jaffle is going to like best?
Happy Cooking Nagi e Jaffle.
Nagi, I was reduced to tears when I heard about Dozer and I am not even a dog person. But I know how much he meant to you and he was part of my recipe reading ,every time I read your recipes,how bizarre.
Enjoy your new friend and I wonder what is going to be Jaffle’s favourite from your recipes???
Ciao x
I am so happy for you. I hope it helps to ease your pain.
Soo happy for you. He’s an absolute doll 💕
So very very happy for you, there is always room in your heart for love, and I’m thinking it’s right next to dozer.
Can’t wait to watch him grow, and also any cheeky things he does. ❤️
I just wanted to say how happy I am to see you add a little golden ball of fun to your family. Jaffle is so cute – I hope he brings you much joy!
So very happy for you Nagi! Jaffle is a lucky pup and I’m sure he will rise to the challenge of Chief Taste Tester in no time! xo
Jaffle is beyond gorgeous – pity I can’t see him that well as I have tears streaming down my face from your recollections of Dozer. I hope to see Jaffle sporting the Winnie the Pooh outfit one day. That did make me smile! Perhaps the universe and Dozer guided your path to your new little kitchen helper. He’ll always be alive in many hearts. Just where true love lives.
Oh I’m crying reading this!! Im so happy for you and Jaffle, but also know the heartbreak of losing your best friend!! Wishing you and Jaffle many years of happiness together ❤️
Darling Nagi and Jaffle, I am in tears reading this recent post. They are tears of joy for knowing that you have this beautiful little guy beside you now Nagi to bring that joy back into the kitchen and your everyday.
They are also tears of heartache – I related to your grief at losing precious Dozer because on the 27 March 26 I too lost my special little companion that was with me 24/7 everywhere, including trips to the bathroom. My Koko would lay on my feet while I was attending to business. She was my everything and had kept me going through some extremely difficult times in my life. I am still grieving the loss of my best friend. Koko was a cafe latte coloured Labradoodle and such a beautiful, loving girl who filled my heart with joy. So, Nagi, I feel immense joy for you and I can see in your face the happiness your precious boy has brought back into your life. So happy for you. RIP Dozer and Koko ❤️❤️
It’s so beautiful to see your happy smile with Jaffle! I’m so happy for you! I only discovered your blog recently and I not only love the recipes but I really enjoy reading about Dozer too. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Little Jaffle is such a cutie he will bring a lot of joy.
Memories of Dozer will always be.
Bless his little cotton socks ✨️ 💕