Stubborn, loving and goofy, in roughly equal measure.
Hazel, or Hazel Mae to her close friends, is an 8-year-old English Bulldog who has been bringing maximum personality to the neighborhood since the day the Weaver family brought her home from a breeder as a puppy. Eight years on, she is equal parts stubborn, loving and goofy.
A day in the life
Hazel has the classic English Bulldog build, a massive personality packed into a short, stocky frame. A typical day begins with a hearty breakfast, followed by an important shift of household supervision. She loves her family, whom she regards as her staff, and she delights in being waited on.
After breakfast she rotates between couch naps and the sunniest patch of light in the room. By evening she is wherever the family has gathered, gently reminding everyone that she is, and always will be, the center of attention. Her favorite staff member is her human brother, Thomas. When the sass runs too high, the staff refer to her as "rotten."
Skip the standard dog biscuits. Hazel prefers gourmet duck treats, and her all-time favorite reward is a plain ice cube.
The great ice cube chase
Hazel takes ice cubes seriously. Her owners remember the day she became so determined to catch a rogue cube sliding across the kitchen floor that she chased it endlessly. By the time she finally pinned it down it had almost completely melted, which did nothing to dim her pride in the victory.
Why they love her
Hazel brings a blend of sweet, stubborn and hilarious energy to her home. Her calm presence, expressive face and deep snore can brighten even the toughest days. If she could talk, her family figures, the request would be straightforward: move the couch into the sun, and bring some duck while you are at it.
If you see Hazel Mae out on a neighborhood stroll, or, more likely, sunbathing on her porch, stop and say hello.
This story appears in the September 2026 issue of Stroll Providence.