If you’ve ever strolled through Quarton Lake and spotted a charming, confident dog trotting like he owns the block—congratulations, you’ve just met Harvey Schoenberg, the unofficial mayor of Quarton Lake (it is reported he is currently single and looking for a mate ....if you know someone.).

The Schoenbergs built their home on Puritan Ave in 2004, just before their son was born, and they’ve loved every minute of neighborhood life since. “It’s such a great walking neighborhood,” Jeff says. “You’re always seeing someone, chatting with neighbors, or bumping into dogs on their daily rounds.” Halloween, he admits, is the best night of the year—though he and Harvey both wish the festivities lasted longer than a day. (Harvey already has costume ideas for next year.)

Harvey’s backstory is the stuff of heartwarming dog movies. Ruffly (see what we did there?) ten years ago, he was a one-year-old rescue looking for love when fate intervened. Jeff heard about him through a friend, and the family met Harvey at a park. “The kids played with him for ten minutes, and that was it—it was love at first sight,” Jeff recalls. “We took him home that day. The rest is history.”

He came pre-named, complete with a monogrammed bowl and collar. The Schoenberg kids decided to keep the name “Harvey”—probably because they still remember that the family’s last dog was named “Nu” (short for “New Dog”). Understandably, they didn’t trust Dad to name this one.

Harvey, described as “part lab and part bourgeois,” is a mutt who considers himself a gentleman of refinement. He’s also a total people person—always with someone, always up for a cuddle, and, according to Jeff, “the smartest member of our family.” He sleeps in someone’s bed every night, which may or may not be part of his clever plan for world domination.

His talents are impressive: he can open the door and let himself in from the backyard. Sadly, he hasn’t yet mastered wiping his paws—though, to be fair, neither have the Schoenberg kids.

Harvey’s palate is adventurous, to put it mildly. He’ll eat anything—including socks—but his true favorite remains the big Costco dog bones. (Harvey insists they’re organic.)

Around the neighborhood, you’ll usually find him near Quarton Lake, chasing ducks for sport (never success). He’s also known for greeting fellow dogs along Oak Street with his trademark confidence and tail wag that says, “Yes, I am that Harvey.”

Given his way, Harvey’s dream adventure would involve a car or boat ride, preferably one that ends with him running free on a beach, “catching” waves. Jeff jokes that a trip to the Detroit Zoo might also be on Harvey’s bucket list—though the zoo animals might not share that enthusiasm.

After years of family adventures and lake walks, Harvey has become more than just a pet—he’s part of the Schoenberg story. “We’ve had many dogs over the years,” Jeff says, “but Harvey’s at the top of our list. Maybe because we rescued him—or maybe because he rescued us.”

Either way, it’s safe to say: life on Puritan Ave.  wouldn’t be the same without him.