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
Congratulations Nagi! What a happy home for Jaffle 🥰
Awwwwww.. Jaffle is precious!!! And honestly, you look very happy in your pictures ❤️ You did right 😊 We are soooo happy for you. Everyone knows Dozer will always have a special place in your heart (he knows it too) and do you know what? I am sure he is happy for you too. Dozer would want you to be happy “again” ❤️ He loved you unconditionally 🤗
Well, I’m sobbing along with you, Nagi. Please keep posting Dozer photos & memories whenever you want. And I’m over the moon happy for you & adorable Jaffle. May you have many beautiful times together. (And I’m so glad you explained what a jaffle is too.)
Hi Nagi
Jaffle is a gorgeous little puppy. I share your sorrow and your happiness and I hope you have so much joy and happiness with your new member and look forward to the photos and stories to come
Best wishes Kathryn
Jaffle such a cutie, won’t replace dozer but hope he helps with some of the heartache xx
CONGRATULATIONS
Oh my Lord Nagi; Jaffle is gorgeous, I love his name 💖
My mum used to have a jaffle iron 😊
Whatever makes your heart and soul smile and sing girl, you do it 💖
Jaffle has big paws (shoes) to fill, but I reckon he will bring his own personality to your heart, home and kitchen and he will bless you tenfold.
Listen sweetheart, as far as I’m concerned you can continue sharing as many Dozer stories as you want, because I know you loved him and still love him, he has a special place in your heart and his legacy lives on.
I feed our little dog and kitten raw foods. Our little dog Jippers has allergies to a high protein diet, so I give him that raw foods by ‘Big Dogs’ he can’t have biscuits, so he gets raw kangaroo patties, and raw kangaroo bones.
My kitten Ranga (he’s a ginger, hence Ranga) gets raw turkey, chicken and roo patties from ‘Big Dog’ and ‘Black Hawk’ bikkies. I don’t do tin rubbish or cheap biscuits na, na
I’ll check out Lyka though as I hear their ad on I❤️radio; I listen to Cruise 1323
I am so looking forward to walking the walk with you and Jaffle 🙏💖🐕
I wanted to write a comment even though I can hardly see through my tears……that was so beautiful and so happy you now have Jaffle in your life…..true we can never replace the beautiful pets we have lost but our hearts are big enough to make room for them all….and I know Dozer will always have a very special place in yours…….I just love your recipe site…it is always my very first go to when looking for a recipe …..and it never fails me…..thank you for being you and for sharing yourself with us all…🥰🥰
This post made me happy, the Jaffle chapter begins and the adventures await. He reminds me of my 14 year old dog when she was a puppy, so energetic, food-driven and smart
I am so happy to see this sweet baby boy and your smile and happiness. I know it does not replace diminish the loss of Dozer. Dogs are being that are so expert at being fully present. And I believe that Dozer would want you, his favoritest person in the whole world to continue to be happy and have snuggles. Cannot wait to see the new chapters but also for you to share any memories of Dozer along the way! xx
Ohhhh. Nagi. He is gorgeous
I feel your pain. For loss of Dozer. He was a star.
But this new little boy will help you. Through
Following you Learning from you. Just like Dozer. Jaffle is gorgeous.
I can’t wait to see him grow. And be your taste tester. Xxx
SO happy you have a beautiful new little friend. He’s adorable Nagi. Thank you for sharing, and know that Dozer will not be forgotten 🥰. Thank you for all your lovely food ideas which me and my son-in-law share often.
Good luck with Waffle x enjoy every minute.
So, so happy for you and Jaffle. We too, have lost and loved many pups over the years and somehow a new one always seems to come along at just the right time to become a part of our family. He is just too cute! Can’t wait to read about his adventures as the new taste tester!
So so happy for you Nagi, Jaffle is adorable, sure he will light up your world.
❤️
Nagi – I’m sobbing too reading this!!
Initially I was ‘No!!! It’s too soon!!!’ But then I quickly realised Jaffle is perfect for you all at Recipe Tin Eats.
You deserve the love of another beautiful pup and you will make sure he has an amazing life as Chief Taste Tester!!
What a cracker of a name for a dog of a chef. I’m sure you’ll have a Jaffle filling (punch intended) post every week.🥰
Congratulations, He is precious.
So happy for you and your new fur baby, I’m sure Dozer ❤️ would approve. Much love from the USA northern East Coast. 💐
Nagi, I’m tearing up at this post as much as when you posted that darling Dozer had passed. Honestly, I love your recipes so much but really, really loved your Dozer posts. We all know that he’ll never be replaced in your heart but the wonderful thing about hearts is how much they can grow to accommodate a new love after a beloved one passes. The new love is not ‘instead of’; it’s ‘as well as’. Congratulations on Jaffle joining your life – delighted to meet him!
So delighted for you Nagi. Jaffle looks gorgeous and no doubt will bring you as much joy as Dozer did.