“She rings the bell at the door when she wants to go outside and has her own hut, or hiding place, under the counter at the front of the store for when she wants some time alone.”Rob Werner, Mazzie’s Owner and Owner of Werner’s Trading Co.
CULLMAN – Cullman is full of outstanding citizens. Some volunteer with various charities, others help their local churches. Some of them aren’t people at all! Take Mazzie, for example. Mazzie is the 60-pound furry Labradoodle that stays at Werner’s Trading Company. Gentle and wise, Mazzie greets customers and entertains children that are out shopping with their parents. But the best part of all; she has become a part of Werner’s, a social media icon and a beloved member of our community.
Labradoodles are a crossbred dog that is created by crossing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle. The dogs were not popularized until 1988, when the mix began to be used as an allergen-free guide dog. Not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, but it is a quality that many look for and appreciate in this breed of dog. Since there is no real hypoallergenic dog, the term is often used loosely. The dogs are not considered a breed by any major breeder organization.
“My daughter named her because she’s the color of corn or maize,” said Rob Werner, Mazzie’s Daddy and storeowner. “She’s 11 years old, we declare her birthday in November,” he grinned as he rubbed the gentle dog’s belly.
Mazzie has been a perfect fit for the store, and for the Werner family. How in the world did they manage to get such a good dog?
“Well, some folks in Scottsboro were raising Labradoodles as a way to put their kids through college,” Werner began.
“We didn’t know what a Labradoodle was; we were just looking for a dog for the store. I had a poodle when I was a kid, and I loved it. They are very smart dogs. Labs have a gentle spirit, they are both smart,” he mused.
“So we came across an ad for a Labradoodle, and I thought, ‘What in the world is that?’ So we went over and looked at them, said a little prayer and picked Mazzie out. Mary Ellen wanted a runt; she didn’t want a big one and little Mazzie ran up. She was real small. We went back six weeks later and picked her up,” he smiled.
Mazzie loves being around all the people, and enjoys checking out all the children that come shopping with their parent’s at Werner’s. She never meets a stranger and brightens everyone’s day.
“She rings the bell at the door when she wants to go outside and has her own hut, or hiding place, under the counter at the front of the store for when she wants some time alone,” said Werner.
“People really love her. We have folks who drive from the interstate, just to come in the store and see her,” he laughed. “She has people who bring their dogs in just to see her, too.”
Outstanding citizens come in all different shapes, sizes and species. Mazzie is loved by most everyone who meets her at Werner’s. She is a coworker, a mascot and a buddy to those around her. If you haven’t had a chance to meet her, be sure to stop by Werner’s and say hello.
Werner’s is located at 1115 4th St. SW, Cullman, AL 35055. Call them at 256-734-5673 and visit their website at WernersTradingCo.com and follow Mazzie on Facebook at Facebook.com/WernersTrading.
