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
Dozer will never been forgotten but Jaffle looks like a super cute Chief Taste Tester in Training. Enjoy
Jaffle is gorgeous 😍 Such wonderful news and I look forward to many happy updates. We will never forget Dozer but Jaffle will be able to add many more joyous memories xxx
Congratulations ! He is beautiful !
Our hearts keep loves alive forever. Truly, enjoy new life, a gift of love!
So happy for you Nagi, wonderful news 😁
Welcome Jaffle!
Omg i am not crying you are!
Welcome to the family Jaffle. I am sure your big brother is smiling down right now.
So so cute. Happy that you can be happy again. Jaffle with fill your heart with love and friendship. Enjoy.
Ah Nagi, this too brought back a flood of tears reading your post about Dozer. Never a replacement will Jaffle be, he will continue in Dozer’s pawprints and fill every little gap within you. Keep sharing your pics of Dozer too. Look forward to watching this young lad grow up and get up to so many adventures. Love the name Jaffle, it is a British dish as we grew up eating them back in Bulawayo (Rhodesia / Zimbabwe) Such a cutie pie he is, so happy for you as he chose you. Happy days to come your way for both of you 🙂
I just love this for both of you! He looks like such a rascal!! Looking forward to seeing all the Jaffle updates to come! xx
Dear Nagi, so pleased you have Jaffle, although I cried all through reading about Dozer. He will never be forgotten.
Hello!! I’m so happy for you and he’s so cute❣️ I can’t wait to seeyour new episode with Jaffle! But I never forget about Dozer and he’s in my heart, too. 🌈🫶🏻
When I read the title of your email I said to myself ‘Meet Jaffle’ I thought surely I know how to make a jaffle, I was so intrigued to see how you could make this with your added touch I pressed the link!
Then when I realised what was going on the tears just kept coming. I couldn’t even get through the article as my eyes were water logged.
What a sweet, gorgeous and beautiful little boy you have there.
I’m so happy you have found each other and I can’t wait to watch what adventures you both get into.
Much love to Jaffle 🐾 and always to Dozer 🐾
You know when it’s the right time for another dog cause the puppy chooses you. I lost my rottie Stella and when my husband suggested just to look at some puppies, one particular one came up and sat on my foot. That was it, Love ❤️ at first, Toby chose me 😘
Jaffle is gorgeous and if he brings the smile back then Dozer would agree.
So happy for you, Nagi! Only a dog can fill a dog-shaped hole in your life. Wishing you many happy years with Jaffle!❤️Alwsys remembering Dozer.❤️
He will never replace Dozer but he will fill your heart in exactly the same way We are now up to number 6 springer spaniel & altho they are all the same – they are all different If anything each one helps us to remember the ones that have passed over the rainbow bridge before them. And had we not lost any of them – we would never had met the new one 😍
Jaffle is gorgeous Nagi
I’m so glad you’re healing. Vale Dozer, and welcome Jaffle xo
Welcome little Jaffle, you have a wonderful new Mum and some big shoes to fill. Congratulations Nagi, I’m really glad things fell into place for you with Jaffle. I cried too when you mentioned retiring the Dozer section, we are still grieving our golden spoodle Misha , who’s been gone a couple of years now . It’s hard to know when your ready to love a new best friend . Our day will come, but in the meantime, I will enjoy watching the loving bond forming between you and Jaffle. Hugs to you both
He will never replace Dozer but he will fill your heart in exactly the same way We are now up to number 6 springer spaniel & altho they are all the same – they are all different If anything each one helps us to remember the ones that have passed over the rainbow bridge before them. And had we not lost any of them – we would never had met the new one 😍