So didn't anyone else notice...

I suspect the name (Hazel) was due to the fact that the male dog was hazel (light brown) in color.

Definitely was a male dog, and she seemed to always relate that way to Hazel. And, the dog was played by a male-named dog. Guess that clinches it, right?

I thought the dog's name was Hazeal, which is a male name.

I totally noticed, but I also owned a female dog named Jake, so I just smiled.

Names are not reserved for particular genders. Many names are used by men and women. Ex: Alex, Forest. I don't see why a Hazel can't fall in that category I have even seen a Jody who was a man. Why are you so hung up in the name sand gender issue? The point in the story is Carol's love for her dog.

Hazel used to be a boys name.

Doesn't bug me. We have a female cat named Timmy. Or Timmah. (Cat just kind of started hanging around the place, now she's sort of ours, I guess. Kids thought she was a male cat and named her Timmy, and it stuck.)

I'm saying, it happens.

Hazel is a name for both sexes