Channels

1. Here’s my girl Hazel. She is 13 years old and we think she is a GS Pointer mix. (no, I still haven’t gotten a genetic test!) She was adopted from a shelter in Lyndhurst, NJ near where I live. I found her photo and description on their website/petfinder and then I quickly drove to see her. I noted she was energetic and spirited but also chill – didn’t seem to have endless exercise needs – check. Plus, she was really unique and cool-looking and a perfect “medium” size at a tidy 45 pounds. I fell in love with her right away and then brought my wife Lauren to meet her but then I was told someone was already lined up to take her and we would know by the end of the week. I was hoping every day/night that the other person would foolishly pass up the opportunity, and sure enough we lucked out!
2. What does your dog do that sometimes drives you crazy?
When the doorbell rings, no matter who it is (could be a best friend) Hazel’s bark is so loud, sudden, and startling that sometimes it causes us to leap up from where we’re sitting.
As Hazel has gotten older, she has gotten more picky about dogs she likes (or doesn’t like) and she started to get into dog fights far too easily (no serious bites, but still, not fun). It doesn’t help that now that we are a family with two kids, plus her “little brother” Lido who she helped raise from a pup, and she is very protective. Due to this, I keep her on leash during all hikes now.
3. Hazel is perfect for us because she’s loving, gentle and wonderful with our kids and their friends, very chill and well-mannered around the house, very responsive to anything we ask (like coming in from the yard at night even when there’s a fox to keep barking at), and even at 13 she’s still uniquely beautiful to look at and share our home with every day! ????