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
Brilliant news! NOTHING heals pain like a new puppy. It doesn’t diminish your love for Dozer in any way whatsoever. It just brings happiness (and mess and pee) back into your life. That’s wonderful. Congratulations!
so thrilled you have a lovely fur baby. I’m sure Dozer is looking down & thinking he’s pleased you found Jaffle to love. He probably had a paw in leading you to little Jaffle. Happy times ahead for you. 🐶💕
Nagi, I am sooooo happy for you! And for Jaffle, too! He is absolutely adorable. And it’s so good to see you smile again. I didn’t know Dozer had GOLPP. I have 2 yellow Labrador retrievers. They were both trained as service dogs. (I am Autistic.) Howie was the perfect dog. He has retired from his work accompanying me everywhere. He has gotten really slow… He has GOLPP. Fortunately, it’s not painful and they retain their bright minds. But he just isn’t the same Howie. I cried with you when Dozer died. I don’t know what it will be like for me when Howie dies. But I also have Finn. He’s not perfect like Howie, but, O, is he fun! He is a complete idiot and makes me laugh. He is my inseparable companion and is such a lovey-dovey boy. Howie was always a bit aloof. My husband characterizes Howie as the Old Aristocrat. Finn (who is almost 4) on the otherhand, he calls a Crackhead. 🤣 I am happy for you – and relieved that Jaffle is with you. 🥰
I hope you make great memories together!!!!
What a lovely surprise hearing all about Jaffle – and a beautiful tribute to Dozer as well. A perfect introduction to your beautiful new boy – Congratulations Nagi! Here’s to many wonderful Jaffle stories!
Awh Nagi-I was praying for this pist. Having had to send many fut kids over the rainbow, I alwayx fill that gap, but theh never ever replace-they are part of you to give you luff and make you snile agsin because they aer each unique and love you back. Enjoy rnjoy enjoy and belief when I say Dozer sent him your way and is communicating with him all the time-everything happens for a reason.
Lots of furry loveXXX
There is no replacing Dozer. There is simply the unveiling of a new and unknown pocket of love if your heart. And in ours.
Very happy for you Nagi and Jaffle.
Oh Nagi, my heart has already melted seeing sweet Jaffle❤️. I can relate as my, now 6 year old heeler, Nugget is sitting in my lap. We were adopted by Nugget 2 months after the loss of Rosie in 2020. We were owned by her parents Bud and Jezebel (yes, she earned her name 😂) and, with all 3 we were complete. We lost all 3 within a 2 year period so it seemed I was grieving for more 2 years. I know the feeling, ‘you know when you know’. And now Nugget sits in my lap.
I will welcome Jaffle and looking forward to reading his adventures and antics.
Love to you all
I’m so happy for you ❤️ and Jaffle is so adorable!
Let the love spread far and wide.
Tears of joy meeting Jaffle this evening. So happy for you Nagi. I know too well the pain of losing furry family. Jaffle hit the jackpot when you adopted him. Xx
I cannot for the life of me begin to express the joy this update has brought me, our little new paw-pal is absolutely adorbs,I can’t wait to keep up with his exciting new life with an incredible mum who doubles as an amazing cook, his going to be a really chubby munster soon, so happy for you Nagi, welcome to RecipeTin eats family Jaffle ❤️
Oh how wonderful Nagi 🙌🏻
I’m sitting in the departure lounge at Durban airport having said goodbye to my sister – in my way back to Oz but feeling sad 😔
then I read this and I felt completely different !
I’m so so happy for you and your new golden boy!!
All the very best to you both ❤️
So happy for you, and I think Dozer would be very happy too! ❤️
I am so happy for you. I love reading your stories as they are so very heart felt. I usually tear up after reading about your beautiful fur buddies. This one was also one of those that made me cry. Jaffy is adorable and the collage of Dozer pictures touched my heart in so many ways. I will always continue to follow you and your heart felt stories. ❤️🥰
Is there ANYTHING cuter or more adorable than a golden retriever puppy?!?!
How lucky you both are to have found each other! And thank you for sharing him with us Nagi 🙏🏼
More tears for me too Nagi. What I do know there is always room in your heart for another furever friend. So glad you did not wait too long and I believe beautiful Dozer will approve
Nagi, so very happy for you. Jaffle is simply adorable and I can’t wait to see more updates on him. I’m sure Dozer will be keeping a watchful on you and Jaffle.
Oh Nagi I’m so thrilled you have Jaffle🥰 to fill that void in your heart. Can’t wait to hear about all his antics. And, can you share your recipes you prepare for him? I also give my baby real food along with kibbles. Lots of hugs to you both💕💕
Oh Nagi such wonderful news! I am smiling as I’m reading your beautiful stories about Jaffle and Dozer as both are so special. Looking forward to what Jaffle gets up to. I am so happy for you 🙂