From sunrise chirping to a midnight prowl, the Hassell home is never quiet. Two parakeets, a Chiweenie and a Siamese Munchkin kitten share the house, and each has a personality.
The Hassell family keeps a lively household of pets: Billy and Bob, a pair of parakeets; Dexter, a young dog; and Marv, a kitten born in December 2025.
Billy and Bob
It has been one year since the parakeets joined the family. Billy is bright blue and Bob is teal, and the two are best buddies who "chat" with each other all day. They come alive from sunrise to sunset and chirp hardest when someone walks past the cage.
Bob likes to perch on a family member's shoulder and supervise. The favorite treat is spray millet. If the birds could talk, the family is sure they would be saying, "Hi! Hi! Good Morning!" at every chance.
Dexter
Dexter, who also answers to Dex or Exeter, was born Sept. 20, 2024, in Charlotte. He is a Chiweenie, half dachshund and half Chihuahua. He is playful and hyper, loves tug-of-war and is first to the door when the doorbell rings, sometimes a little too tempted to escape.
His most famous adventure came last Christmas Eve, when he paid a surprise visit to the neighbors, found his way into their construction zone and came home covered in mud. Bath time followed.
He knows sit, shake and lie down. Bacon and steak are his favorite snacks, and his stuffed Lamb Chop toys do not last long before he pulls out every bit of stuffing. Each morning he is the first one awake and ready for a long walk before settling into a warm, sunny spot. His line, if he had one: "Play with me!"
Marv
Marv, or Marvikins, was born in December 2025 in South Carolina. He is a Siamese Munchkin, a small cat with striking blue eyes. He has a mischievous streak and swipes his human sisters' hair ties off their nightstands to bat around and chew.
He is a little nervous, with bursts of energy late at night. His favorite toy is a fishing rod with dangling trinkets, good for stalking and pouncing practice. He is a practical eater, content with dry kibble.
Most of the time he is under a bed, plotting the next hair-tie heist or avoiding Dexter. If he could talk, the family suspects he would be muttering, "Go away, Dexter."
A home full of heart
Morning bird songs, Dexter's bark and Marv's quiet midnight rounds: each pet brings its own personality to the house. If you hear cheerful chirping or spirited barking down the street, that is the Hassells' little zoo saying hello.
This story appears in the May 2026 issue of Stroll Providence.