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
Love at first sight! What a beautiful new puppy! I am so happy for you!! Enjoy every moment with Jaffle, your 2nd Puppy Love, and may he live a long and wonderful life with you!.
Nagi you are Beautiful, in pictures and in what you do.. you loved your rescue baby as I loved mine. My chihuahua lived for 15, I have adopted 2 since his demise, and they are playful as well as mischievous . If my tiny sweet tank would have not passed, I would never met these two Houligans. Thank you Nagi
Omedetō Nagi !!!
Dozer would be 🐾happy for you💚
Jeffe looks so healthy.
yes, I’m crying too!! RIP Dozer…you will never be forgotten!! I can’t wait to watch sweet Jaffle grow and grow!! Sending hugs from Bonita Spring, Florida.
Nagi – I love seeing the joy on your face as you introduce Jaffle to all of your fans. He is one lucky pup!
Sweet Sweet Sweet
Hail Dozer 🙏🏻 Hail Jaffle 💫
💝
Jaffle is beautiful. I’m so pleased you got a new heart warmer and soul healing baby. I hope you never stop posting photos and memories of Dozer, he was a special part of your life for so many years and became a favourite part of ours too. Congratulations Nagi and tell Jaffle he has no idea just how lucky he is yet 💜🐾💜
Nagi so beautiful to hear about your new fur baby and remembering Dozer, by the end of your post im in tears (at my daughters gymnastics no less!) we will always remember Dozer ♥️ and welcome to the recipe tin family Jaffle!! ♥️
Hi Nagi, I’m so happy for you. Losing a dog is heartbreaking and Dozer was one in a million. Jaffle looks mischievously happy in your kitchen and his photo has made me cry happy tears. I’m looking forward to following Jaffles adventures with you. X
So happy for you Nagi. We don’t replace them as every single dog has a very special place in our hearts.
Love never halves, it always doubles.
Nagi – there can never be a final chapter of Dozer, because he will live forever in the hearts of the Recipetin community. We have enough love for both Dozer and sweet little Jaffle.
As fur-parent to an 12 month old pup, you have a whole adventure ahead through that puppy phase. Just make sure you enjoy every minute (even if it is filled with pee stains!)
Oh Naji, I’m so thrilled that you now have another precious Golden to love and fill your life with years of joy and wonderful new memories to make. Sending love to you and Jaffle xxx
Love!! So happy for you, Nagi, and Jaffle! XO
Welcome sweet little Jaffle. You’ve got a wonderful Mummy. You’re going to a happy and fun life with much love not just from your Mummy but also from the all the members 💖
You had me at ‘chunderbum’ 🤣 How loved Jaffle will be 💞💞💞
Hi Jaffle,….you gorgeous little hunk of spunk 😍 Welcome to your new world…. One filled with love, yummy tastings and more love. So looking forward to watching you grow ❤️
Ahhhh, Welcome from the UK Jaffle! Looking forward to hearing all about his mischief and shenanigans – and of course your recipe recommendations ! We also took on a new puppy within a couple of months after losing our cocker spaniel – it doesn’t make you forget the first dog, just eases the sadness a little bit! Good luck to you xxx
Nagi….just as I mourned with you at the loss of Dozer….I am thrilled with the joy I see on your face as you cuddle Jaffles. How fitting that his name references a food that we all LOVE.
I’m sure sometimes you will wonder – when Jaffles does something just like Dozer did … did Dozer really pass the baton in the dog spirit world?? This has happened to me after bringing a new dog into our home after the passing of another.
Also, how freaking cool is it that you can go into Woolworths this week, buy 3 Kleenex products and get a baby Jaffles toy for free?? (At least, in South Australia this is the case)
I’m so pleased for you Nagi! Dozer was also part of our lives and as you said, he is passing the baton over to Jaffles. He is adorable and I look forward to seeing and hearing about your funny and precious moments with your new fur baby xxx