Hazel
Date of Passing: 05/05/2025
Message to Hazel: Hazel was more than a dog -- she was my heart, my shadow, my quiet companion, and my soul tethered in fur. For 14.5 years, she stood beside me through every version of myself, always loving, always patient, always quietly present. Her spirit was gentle, and she changed my life simply by being in it. Her absence is loud, but her love echoes louder. I miss her more than words can say, and I'll carry her with me in everything I do. Thank you, Hazel, for every moment that I got to love you.
Tell us the ‘story’ of your pet (ex: how you got them, how did they get their name, favorite things, etc)
Tell us about Hazel: Hazel came into my life at a time when I desperately needed companionship. At the age of eighteen, I wanted a dog so badly, and my mom finally agreed. She sad I could get a "Standard Poodle, female, silver, three months old."
Back when newspaper ads were still a thing, we opened the paper and found a listing for a litter of puppies. The breeder had two puppies left -- one of them being exactly what we were looking for. She made a comment that stuck with me forever: that this particular female puppy would “need a less active owner.” Those were her exact words. And she was right. She knew her puppies.
Hazel was my sleepy, lazy girl. Inside, she loved nothing more than to move from bed to bed -- hers and mine. But outside? That’s where she lit up. She loved long walks just to sniff, running free at the park, and splashing in the water at the beach, getting as dirty as possible.
Hazel wasn’t just a part of my life -- she shaped it. And I know God sent her to me on purpose. She was my home. My little shadow. My heart. And I will always be grateful that I got to be her person.