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! Welcome Jaffle!
Oh Nagi I am so pleased for you and understand how much of a gap there is in your life when your faithful friend goes to sleep! I am in the same position – there is someone missing in my life. I don’t want to replace as that would not be possible but thank you for describing it as a new chapter. I feel I have to open that for myself. Enjoy your life together – a new puppy will certainly keep you on your toes! 🤗🤗
Glad to meet Jaffle. Beautiful little boy. I love that you are smiling again. We will never forget Dozer, whose antics are treasured memories.
I am so happy for you and Jaffle! We’ve all come to love Dozer over the years and he will live on in this community. It was heart breaking to lose him, but it is really uplifting to see that you’ve got room in your heart for another pup! (We do too.)
Oh Nagi just read your post here in the UK and I have tears rolling down my face. Dozer was a gorgeous boy and Jaffle looks like he is going to grow into a handsome fella, you can already see his personality just from photos. So pleased you have found each other. Fun times to come xxx
This is a PS that I forgot to add to my post to you:
Please don’t close out the Dozer sectio. Even tho there won’t be new posts there, it’s the most wonderful tribute and should stay right where it is. There’s always enough love to go around.
We will always love and miss Dozer but new beginnings are wonderful and exciting and there’s nothing wrong with that. I always thought jaffle was a South African thing. I stand corrected 🤣 Good luck Nagi with the new puppy. He is adorable.
Omigoodness my heart is SO happy for you! Of course Mr. Dozer will always have a special place in your heart. Jaffle looks like a little poofball of sweetness! Hugs!!! 🤗🤗🤗
Oh, Nagi, Jaffle is beautiful just like you! And those paws are magnificently huge – this is all such great news. I remember when Dozer first came into your life and really to all of ours, too, and it seems like yesterday. He had the best mom and the best life. I send a huge hug for that. I cried right along with everyone when I heard the news that he had passed on and it’s still hard to even write about it as I sit here. But look at that Jaffle, what a gorgeous beauty! And all that intelligence you can see immediately in his eyes. I’m in Va in the US but if I were closer, I’d be begging to babysit and even worse, begging to be godmother, Congratulations, Nagi! I see 2 sweethearts on the road to undying devotion and love 🥰🤗❤️ ~~ JennyD in Va.
You are the best Dog Mom ever. Thank you for all the wonderful moments you shared with all of us strangers about Dozer and now our new Jaffle!!!
Nagi, I love your site and loved seeing Dozer! My heart broke for you as I too lost mine senior best friend and the pain is horrid! I’m so happy for you and hassle to have each other! Hugs!
So glad you have Jaffle. I’m sure he will grow up to be as good as, but not a replacement for, Dozer.
Handsome pup! He brought a huge smile to your face!
Awwwww, what a cutie. He has big paws to fill but I think that he is going to start doing so quickly. Dozer will always be with us but Jaffle is going to help you with the grief and start to give you joy. As you said never forgotten, just highlighted forever. Well done Nagi.
So sweet!
Jaffle is the anecdote to moving forward together with memories of Dozer. They are both priceless as they are part of your life. I look forward to more stories of Jaffle as he grows with references to Dozer’s antics!
Welcome to Nagi’s heart and her kitchen, Jaffle! What a precious cutie….many happy times to come!
Congratulations on Jaffle!! Beautiful boy. I’m glad you got him sooner. I did the same with a few of mine. Last one I waited one painful year. Too long!!! You will have great joy and fun. Except for all the pee and poop accidents. Lol.
So good to see you so smiley again!
Aw stop it!!! I love Dozer and already love Jaffle ❤️ don’t stop sharing Nagi, your fur babies and your food are life!!