Pip and Daisy are regular shop dogs at Hazelnut . “ They ’ re both really good , but Pip can ’ t stand anybody with a hat or a uniform , so the UPS man and the mail people have to beware , but all he does is bark ,” says Batt . “ And Daisy is finally getting over her aversion to men .” Hazelnut is heading into its 19th Christmas , and Batt is excited to ring in the holidays . “ I love when people come back to see the place for Christmas . We have dog and cat ornaments and little treats for pets because they need something for Christmas too ! It ’ s surprising how many things at Hazelnut are animal-inspired . This art line with wonderful , fun , colorful pictures of animals — lions , dogs , octopi — have taken off . And there ’ s this mirror with all these gold butterflies . We incorporate animals in our décor and fashion , not fur but animal prints — not that I ’ ll be wearing a big cat sweater at Christmas !”
For Mardi Gras , Hazelnut offers pretty plates with art based on antique Carnival costumes and a line of fabulous items that feature a fanciful linear parade , including floats and flambeaux , designed by Batt . Batt and Cianfichi participated in 2021 ’ s Krewe of House Floats , a resourceful movement to decorate homes in spectacular float fashion that came to fruition after Covid-19 restrictions cancelled Mardi Gras . “ OK , no other city decorates like we do !” says Batt . “ It was a big treat growing up to put on your footie pajamas and drive all around the city at night to look at the lights , then end up at Café Du Monde . There ’ s something magical about New Orleans . Last year was Daisy ’ s first
Mardi Gras and we all dressed up , including the dogs , and people would pass by to see our house float and we threw beads and they really got into that .”
A king of benevolence , Batt generously donates his services to a plethora of charitable organizations . “ Whoever needs me calls and I show up ,” says Batt , who has supported Louisiana SPCA events . “ Abused and traumatized animals out on the streets need us . We ’ ll only rescue from now on ; I firmly believe in that . My niece Bailey and I ’ d go to the Louisiana SPCA and just look at dogs ; she wanted to take everyone home and I did too . It pains me to see that . We have to be careful with these dogs and support spay and neuter programs because they don ’ t know any better ; we human beings do , or we should ! The LASPCA and Zeus ’ Rescues and all these wonderful groups have angels doing great work . And let me tell you : No human being is going to be as happy as a dog is to see you when you get home . None ! They give unconditional love and adulation and it ’ s just exuberant . You leave for ten minutes ? They jump for joy that you returned . After a hard day you come home and they ’ re there ? There ’ s nothing better . Dogs make life fuller . When they want to snuggle and curl up right by you and snore , it ’ s better than Ambien !”
For more information please see hazelnutneworleans . com , louisianaspca . org and zeusplace . com
28 Life Unleashed