Meet Hazel: Guardian of the Farm and Beloved Town Mascot
If you’ve spent any time near The Nest at Grey Farms, chances are you already know Hazel.
She’s hard to miss — tall, snow-white, calm as a summer afternoon, and always watching. Hazel has lived on this property for many years, long before the farmhouse became a gathering place for guests and celebrations. In many ways, she is part of the land itself.
Hazel is a Great Pyrenees, a breed known for centuries as livestock guardian dogs. Bred to live among sheep and goats, Great Pyrenees are not herders or house pets in the traditional sense. They are protectors — steady, patient, and deeply loyal. Hazel embodies all of that and more.
A Working Dog With a Gentle Heart
Hazel’s job is serious, even if she makes it look easy.
Day and night, she watches over the farm’s sheep and goats, as well as the flock of chickens that call Grey Farms home. Her presence alone is often enough to keep predators at bay. She moves quietly, positions herself where she can see the most ground, and responds instinctively to anything that feels out of place.
And yet, despite her size and responsibility, Hazel is incredibly gentle. She has a calm demeanor that seems to put everyone — animals and people alike — at ease. She’s content to lie in the grass, observe the comings and goings of the farm, and accept affection with quiet dignity.
A Community Favorite
Over the years, Hazel has become more than just a working dog — she’s become a local icon.
Neighbors know her by name. Kids wave to her from car windows. Folks passing through stop to check on her, snap a photo, or offer a treat. At some point, the community affection became so widespread that Hazel earned an unofficial but much-loved title: Town Mascot.
We’ve heard countless stories of Hazel sightings and encounters — including her regular admirers who stop by the nearby Dollar General to make sure she’s doing well. It’s clear that Hazel is watched over not just by the farm, but by the town itself.
And for that, we are deeply grateful.
Gratitude — and a Gentle Request
The care and concern shown for Hazel is a beautiful reflection of this community’s heart. It means more than we can say to know that so many people look out for her.
As The Nest at Grey Farms continues to welcome more guests and neighbors, we do want to offer a small request — one rooted in Hazel’s safety and well-being.
Hazel is happiest, safest, and most at ease on the property, where she knows her animals, her boundaries, and her routine. While she enjoys treats and affection, being encouraged away from the farm — even with the best intentions — can disrupt her work and put her in unfamiliar environments.
If you’d like to say hello, offer a treat, or give Hazel some well-earned scratches, we warmly invite you to do so here at The Nest at Grey Farms, rather than in nearby parking lots or roadways. On the property, she can remain close to her herd while still enjoying the love she’s so accustomed to receiving.
Part of the Story of the Land
Hazel represents so much of what The Nest at Grey Farms stands for.
She is steady. She is watchful. She is deeply connected to the land and the life unfolding on it every day. In a place dedicated to hospitality, history, and living in rhythm with nature, Hazel reminds us that some of the most important work happens quietly.
You may see her resting beneath a tree, walking the fence line at dusk, or standing between the sheep and the horizon — always present, always aware.
If you visit The Nest at Grey Farms, be sure to look for Hazel. She may not greet you with fanfare, but she’ll notice you. And if you’re lucky, she may decide you’re worth a gentle nudge or a patient pause for a scratch behind the ears.
To our neighbors and friends: thank you for loving her. Thank you for watching out for her. And thank you for helping us keep Hazel right where she belongs — at home, guarding the land she knows so well.