Introducing our March 2018 Pet of the Month: Hazel. This sweet pup is a new-ish member of the Noe Valley family. Hazel's "people" are Corey Warren, his partner, Ray Cendana, and their son, Paolo Cendana. Her fellow household pets are two cats, Gatsby (a Siamese mix) and Agnes (a gray mix). Corey was nice enough to answer a few questions about Hazel for the Noe Valley Times.

What kind of dog and how old is Hazel?
Hazel is half border collie and half chocolate Labrador. She’s now six-months old.

How has your Noe Valley life changed since getting a puppy?
We walk more. A lot more! And we’re meeting lots of dogs and their families on the streets of Noe. 

Do you find it easy to have a dog in Noe Valley?
Noe is a great place to have a dog. It’s mostly quiet, but still exciting enough to pique the curiosity of a puppy. And most everyone seems dog friendly.

How does Hazel resemble her name in character and physical appearance?
Some say she has hazel eyes, but we named her Hazel simply because we like the name and think it fits her. 

Smarter or more stubborn?
She is definitely stubborn and often refuses to take no for an answer. Or “off!” Or “down!” Or “come!” She’s still determined to jump on people, something we’re trying to help her with. And she is adamant about counter surfing in the kitchen, no matter how many times we tell her it’s just not acceptable behavior for a young lady. But she’s also very responsive to a lot of the training we do with her. 

What are Hazel’s favorite toys? 
Hazel is a chewer like no other. She’s chewed a hole in our nicest rug and the corners of our wooden floor molding. So, I’d say chew toys—and other chewable things, plus bones from Barons Meats and treats from Noe Valley Pet Co. 

Does she have a favorite game?
Hazel shares her home with two cats, one of whom has made himself mostly scarce since Hazel arrived. That’s Gatsby. But Hazel plays incessantly with Agnes, the cat that remains. Agnes tolerates this better than she should.   

If Hazel was in school, what kind of student would she be?
She’d be extremely social and very popular, but she’d hang out with everyone.

How does she fit in with Noe Valley life? 
She loves the streets of Noe Valley and can always find interesting (to her, at least) things to sniff and see. Plus, she loves, loves, loves the attention she receives as we walk her. She’s a bit thrown off when passers-by don’t stop to pet her and tell her how cute she is. She expects attention!

What are your favorite dog friendly places in Noe?
The sidewalks are great, as is Joby’s Run, the dog park at the Noe Valley Recreation Center. Hazel also likes businesses that happen have to have treats to share with her. These include Chuck’s Sun Valley Market, The Buzz Salon, Nouvelle Laundry, and Danny’s Cleaners. When Hazel is a little older, we look forward to sampling the offerings at Noe’s dog-friendly restaurants.

Feel free to add any comments about you, Hazel and/or Noe Valley:  
Hazel would want to send best wishes and licks to her new dog friends around the ‘hood, including Pip, Pepper, Otis, Luna, Jamison, Sadie, Ollie, and the other Luna.