Edited by Shayna Mace | Photography by Holly Leitner
Mesa & Skippy
Breeds: Great Pyrenees mix (Skippy) and Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Mesa)
Family: Haven and Mel Hanson
Favorite Madison places to visit: All of the lakes! There is nothing my dogs enjoy more than rolling in the sand or jumping on the paddleboard. They enjoy walking around the Vilas neighborhood and the lakeshore the most as we always encounter lots of smells and wildlife.
If Mesa and Skippy had jobs, they would be: Lifeguards — they both need to be involved and aware of everything that happens around them. Plus, they love to swim. What we love about our pups: They are healthy, active dogs. They enjoy activities in nature and also a nice walk up State Street. Additionally, Mesa is a two-time national champion in lure coursing. Both dogs compete in a variety of sports.
Zoe & Maya
Breeds: Pomsky (Zoe) and Shiba Inu (Maya)
Family: Nicole and Ben Marschall
Favorite Madison places to visit: Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton and Octopi Taproom.
If Zoe and Maya had jobs, they would be: Maya would be VP of selective compliance. That job would capture her unmistakable Shiba energy — independent, self-assured and completely unbothered by expectations. Zoe would be head of emotional wellness. That reflects her instinct to care for everyone while also vocally holding the household accountable with her husky-style commentary.
What we love about our pups: Zoe and Maya are bilingual and learned their commands in English and Spanish.
Bellini
Breed: Pitbull
Family: Mary Alesandrini
Favorite Madison places to visit: Canine Sports Zone (she’s done puppy training, agility and nose work), Hilldale Shopping Center (specifically Evereve), Prairie Moraine Dog Park, Epic and pretty much any outdoor dining patio.
If Bellini had a job, it would be: Professional interior design support animal at Sprinkman Design Collective. She is also a French kisser (for her uncanny aim), a police dog (she keeps her kitten brothers in line), and a princess when she sports her pink, bows and pearl necklace.
What I love about my pup: Bellini and her beautiful heart make people smile. Negative stereotypes surround pitbull-like dogs — but they are gentle and playful. Bellini is a great ambassador for the breed! She even has her own Instagram account: @teenybellinitheprettypittie.
Ada Jane
Breed: Labrador retriever
Family: Juli Thomas
Favorite Madison places to visit: In Sync Agility, Badger Kennel Club and dog-friendly businesses in the summer. Ada Jane has titles and training in agility, obedience, rally, hunt testing, scent work and much more. She’s a “do it all” dog — a true Madison pup.
If Ada Jane had a job, it would be: Full-time bird watcher.
What I love about my pup: She’s a fox red (yellow) lab so she is already always in Bucky Badger wear! She represents the spirit of our city: kind, smart, helpful, loyal , and always up for new things and a challenge.
Gracie & Mozelle
Breeds: Yorkie mix (Mozelle) and Shih Tzu poodle mix (Gracie)
Family: Crystal Simmons and Christine Tozier
Favorite Madison place to visit: Anywhere there is a bike path!
If Gracie and Mozelle had jobs, they would be: Bike path supervisor and professional smile thief.
What we love about our pups: Our dogs are obsessed with riding bikes with us. We recently relocated here from North Carolina, and one of the main things that attracted us to Madison was the outdoor life and the bike paths. Gracie and Mozelle capture the hearts of all who see them out — and most importantly — they always make people smile.
Grizzy
Breed: Brussels Griffon and Chihuahua mix
Family: Meghan Dinkle
Favorite Madison places to visit: Grizzy likes long walks, sniffing every tree and saying hello to all of our neighbors. He also enjoys dog-friendly places like The Boneyard and the Olbrich Biergarten.
If Grizzy had a job, it would be: Small dog ambassador! Weighing in at 5 ½ pounds, Grizzy’s friendly demeanor and personality can turn any small-dog hater into a small-dog fan.
What I love about my pup: Grizzy is a beautiful boy and has a lovely heart. He is a rescue dog from down South through Fetch Wisconsin Rescue. After coming to Wisconsin several years ago and making it his home, Grizzy brightens the day of everyone he meets and embodies the neighborly feel of Madison.
Lily
Breed: Great Dane
Family: Kendall Meuwissen
Favorite Madison places to visit: Lily loves any open field, dog park (Warner Park, Capital Springs, Quann, Prairie Moraine), beach or space where she can run. She also loves going to State Line Distillery and Bark in the Park events.
If Lily had a job, it would be: The Queen of Madison. She knows she is cute and pretty, and uses it to get her way. She would also moonlight as a paper shredder, as that is one of her other favorite hobbies.
What I love about my pup: She loves Madison and enjoys the chance to bring awareness to the Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue, as she’s a rescue from that organization.
Mac, Millie and Moose
Breeds: Golden retriever, cattle dog and border collie mix (Mac), golden retriever (Millie) and beagle mix (Moose)
Family: Jamie and Ryan Ziegler
Favorite Madison places to visit: Dairy Ridge Dog Run, but they really are happy anywhere outside.
If Mac, Millie and Moose had jobs, they would be: Mac: Director of drool and chaos – he’s missing part of his tongue, but not missing any enthusiasm. He approaches life (and snacks) with reckless optimism.
Millie: Homecoming queen – a golden-girl teenager who still expects admiration, snacks and VIP treatment at all times.
Moose: Chief vibes officers – he’s fully blind but navigating life better than most of us, running on confidence, memory and pure main-character energy.
What we love about our pups: Together they’re a perfectly chaotic, heart-melting trio: One is missing part of his tongue, one is living her best golden-age diva life and one is proving every day that being blind doesn’t slow you down – it just makes you cooler. They’re all funny, deeply loving and full of personality.
Punky
Breed: Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound and other mixes
Family: Gina Chirichella
Favorite Madison places to visit: Hilldale Shopping Center, our large yard and having dog play time with our neighbor dogs.
If Punky had a job, it would be: Circus performer — he can jump through a hoop!
What we love about our pup: Strangers often stop to marvel at how cute and fox-like he is. He loves to jump and leap, and is very friendly to dogs and humans.
Tupelo Honey, Opal and Paisley
Breeds: English setter (Tupelo Honey), beagle/terrier mix (Opal) and Dalmatian (Paisley)
Families: Mary Beth Larson, Lauren Severson and Stephanie Kempf
Favorite Madison places to visit: Reading with kids at the City Dog Vet clinic the second Saturday of each month as Guardian Whiskers Book Buddies! This group (along with 16 other dogs) lends their ears to kids practicing reading. The Book Buddies also visit Goodman Community Center, Bayview Foundation, Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center and many other places throughout the year.
If Tupelo Honey, Opal and Paisley had jobs, they would be: Each dog has a title — certified therapy dog — and they love their jobs.
What we love about our pups: The Book Buddies make reading fun for kids. They help kids improve their reading skills and become lifelong readers.
