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 your new puppy. We had 2 goldens that passed last year. Such beautiful friends.
I love that you now have Jaffle to brighten every day from here on. We never replace, we just add to the love and affection we share with new people and animals that come into our lives. My heart is full for you that you have so much joy back in your life. Yes I was one that first followed you because I saw dozer. Anyone that loves a dog that much must be a good person. Here I am years later to enjoy new stories of Jaffle. I know you have enough love in your heart for both. ❤️🤗
I am so happy for you and such a good looking dog. Such a great ball of fluff
This could not have come to a better time for me. Poppy (Jack Russel Foxie cross) who was thrown out of a car, she was taken to a rescue place and brought back to health. I had lost my last dog a year ago and now ready for another one. I went to the rescue centre and met this little sweetie. I was extremely luckey, as 16 people had applied the same as me. A long story Poppy sadly had cancer and had ti be put to sleep last week. Her best mate was a British Bull dog, they played together, swam together and walked together, sadly Mac died of a heart attack six months ago and was put into a special garden area raised up. Poppy is now buried next to Mac and Poppy is buried wraped in her favourite blanket she slept on every night next to her best mate.
Mac’s mum and I are best mates and her son suggested this was the way for them. He could never have been more right.
This new news from you made an instant help fir me, thankyou so much. Your new baby is beautiful Xxx
So cute, I am happy that you found a new love.
Jaffle is absolute gorgeous and so cute! I’m sure he will be loved and getting spoiled just as much as Dozer was 🐶❤️
Absolutely wonderful news Nagi. Had been hoping to hear something soon, and I love the fact that you got Jaffle from Kim. Looking forward to seeing you both down at Bayview sometime. He will never replace Dozer but you have enough love to give to both of them. enjoy every moment.
I am so happy for you that you have moved on after your very sad loss of Dozer. There will never be another Dozer, but your new companion will bring you so much joy for many years to come. I love your recipes and your new best friend.
Thank you for sharing the joy of this new soul!
Also recognizing that this is a bitter/sweet moment for you.
When I lost a pet someone told me that they are never really lost- as they always come back to us in our future pets. This has brought me much joy as I have found similarities in new pets and smiled to myself.
I’m crying with you right now- tears streaming down my face- I’m so happy for you to have another gorgeous soul to love and the beautiful Dozer will be wagging his tail with joy from heaven. Sending u lots of love and hugs ❤️
I am so happy for you. I lost my 16yr old in October. and 3 months later got a new rescue. Best thing I ever did. I still miss Billy but it helps loving a new buddy. enjoy xoxox
A warm welcome to your gorgeous golden bundle…I am sure he is going to fill your heart with as much joy as Dozer did…having lost a golden ourselves we have carried on with fostering dogs that hadn’t been so lucky and its very rewarding.
A warm welcome to your gorgeous golden bundle…I am sure he is going to fill your heart with as much joy as Dozer did…having lost a golden ourselves we have carried on with fostering dogs that hadn’t been so lucky and its very rewarding. Hope you have lots of happy times ahead
A new chapter begins. Lots of
chewed shoes, books, furniture and more. Not to mention mysterious puddles in weird places. We all loved Dozer and now we learn to love Jaffle.
Jaffle is a bit of a cutie Nagi! Congratulations on the newest member of the team!
He’s beautiful. He’s got to be a good one having a Scottish dad 🏴
Love him ❤️ and look forward to his puppy adventures. Dozer will always live on in your heart. So happy for you. He’s found the best loving home with you.
So happy for you, Dozer sent you Jaffel to help you heal your broken heart. ❤️
Wonderful new adventures await you both.
Hi Nagi
I am the lady who bumped into you at Rhodes a few weeks ago. Was so excited at meeting you in person, so much so that I forgot to take a selfie with you and your lovely mum.
Dozer will forever be in our hearts and a huge “Welcome” to Jaffle as he begins his new chapter with you.
So happy for you, Nagi and Jaffle. xx
Do happy for you, you deserve it xxxxx
I am so excited that you have a new puppy to fill your life with joy, to share in the “do you remember “ Dozer moments. I do hope that Jaffle has his own section of your webpage now that the Dozer section is being retired as I live vicariously through your posts as I am not in a position to have my own atm. God knows my desires and I will get both a home and a dog❤️…it’s all about getting the right one and everything is in His timing. I am so happy that the timing was perfect for this golden fluff ball to enter your life and all the team behind recipe tin eats. I am excited to read the next post…and the recipe that comes with it❤️ I love all your recipes as they taste amazing and I know they have been throughly tested before being published. I have both books too❤️❤️❤️love your work❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh my heart once again. Typing this with tears in my eyes and trying to stir my Vietnamese caramelised pork mince!!
So much love and welcome to the world Jaffle! Golden on the inside and melty in the middle is just perfect!!