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
Sitting here with tears streaming down my face reading about Darling Dozer 🥺
Your love for him was obvious dear Nagi and I have absolutely felt your heart break since his passing. Having said that, I am so happy for you to feel the time was right for you to let a new fluff ball into your home and life 🩷 Jaffle is a super cute little guy and a very lucky pup to have you as his person. I’m looking forward to seeing Jaffle grow and become another valuable member of your team and family 🩷
Welcome Jaffle! Nagi I’m so happy for you. You were such a great mom to Dozer that it’s good to know that another dog will have such a good loving home. I’m sure there was an emptiness you felt since Dozer’s been gone but now Jafffle can fill that void. Dozer would approve. Nagi he’s absolutely precious. Enjoy all the many years ahead with him. For the record, I’m sure many of your fans will agree that we will never forget Dozer either.
Well, good person, I smiled tearily throughout your deliciously long Jaffle news: I am sure that he will be a very appealing successor to Dozer…after all, he has the same mother-trainer.
Well, good person, I smiled tearily throughout your deliciously long Jaffle news: I am sure that he will be a very appealing successor to Dozer…after all, he has the same mother-trainer.
So good, Nagi! I am thrilled for you and your new RTE Head Taste Tester in training. What a beautiful new chapter for you, the kitchen and Jaffle. All of us, who have faithfully followed Dozer’s life story (and scrolled straight past the recipes to Dozer’s section!) will be waiting for Jaffle’s story to take shape as your posts appear in our in-boxes. He looks to be a charming package of fun, entertainment, possibly some frustration (being a puppy and all) but mostly love. And we will never forget Dozer. xxx❤️🐾🐾❤️
I am confident that Dozer is happy that you have found your new puppy companion, Jaffle. Dozer would not want you to be alone. And you’ll all be united on the Rainbow Bridge one day,
Nagi I was in tears of joy the moment I saw Jaffa, Dozer would be so happy for you.
The very first time when I saw your website many many years ago I saw Dozer. Didn’t care if you could cook or not, I saw the love of your Goldie & I was sold. So here we are after all these years with the passing of Dozer & now the new beginnings of Jaffa. You deserve to love a fur baby again, he will never be a Dozer but he will be loved x
PS your an amazing bloody cook 🥳
I am so, so happy for you, Nagi. Jaffle is just adorable and will fit into the kitchen delightfully as future taste tester.
Hey Nagi – this is great news. I lost my best mate Wilbur (an Aussie Terrier) in November last year. It was a real shock as he was only 8 and seemed to be in good health until the last week or so. I got a new Aussie one month later (on what would have been Wilbur’s 9th birthday!) when he was also only 10 weeks old. He hasn’t replaced Wilbur but has given us heaps of joy and is now a much loved & spoiled pooch. I think of Wil every day & still get teary when I look at photos of him but then Banjo comes along to cheer me up! Enjoy your new best mate! He’s a lucky boy catching you!
So glad your family is complete again, and so obvious that Dozer sent him to you! What a handful of joy!
Dearest Nagi, So happy for you in having another baby..
I know Dozer is in Heaven looking down and smiling at you and Jaffle. He would want you to heal. Congrats on another sweet baby. 🙂
Congratulations!
💕🐾💕
Bless.
It’s always amazing how a heart can be so full but then there’s room for another pupper to fit in right when space is needed.
I cannot wait until the shenanigans begin.
Congratulations on your new kitchen side kick….!!!!!
Dozer will always be remembered….. with love !!!!!!!!
oxoxoxoxo
Jafle looks gorgeous! Also so glad for you that you found him. Maybe Dozer had a helping paw in that! Having had to put our two fur friends down 2 years ago, I still miss the ‘putter patter’ of little paws following me around the house. Such a lovely happy sound. Look forward to getting to know Jafle and seeing lots of mischievous photos!! So so glad for you.
I’m thrilled for you Nagi. There’s nothing like puppy love to cure a broken heart. Jaffle is a delight and I know Dozer would thoroughly approve. 💓
Congrats! He is adorable. I would sure love to see your dog food recipes some day as I have been looking for a new one. Again- Jaffe is beautiful.
Dear Nagi, You are so blessed to have this new little man in your life, Jaffle is just gorgeous, I really wish I could have his double. My old boy is only 10 but he is slowing down so much I am not sure how much longer we will have him for. Jaffle will have a wonderful life with you – thank you for sharing such a loving boy with us. Sending love, Sue
Congrats, Nagi! What a beauty!!! Thank you for sharing Jaffle with us. I’ll be eagerly waiting for post filled with golden puppy stories. There’s nothing like a furry golden 🙂
He will certainly be loved 💞