Not just your average wine dog

Roxanne our German Shepard

There is something about wineries and dogs that just make sense. Whether they are out roaming around the vineyards or sunning themselves in the tasting room and greeting customers, wine dogs are a great addition to any winery. Everyone has stories and found memories of their dogs… here are some of mine.

Our wine dog is Roxanne, a 6 year old German Shepard. My dad has a great love of German Shepard’s and we got Roxanne (Roxy for short) right after my twin sister left for college. Our previous dog was Elsa, had just passed away. She was left on our doorstep Christmas Eve wrapped in a baby blanket with a bottle. We fell in love with her instantly although never really found out where she came from. Roxanne right away was a lively puppy and she had the classic, cute German Shepard ears that stood straight up. As a puppy she stayed close to the house but as she grew up and got more interested in her surroundings and she began to go out during the day with my dad. She has since become his constant companion, following him everywhere he goes. Sometimes he will have to leave her at one of the ranches because he is moving equipment around, she will patiently wait for him by his white Nissan pick up until he returns. To this day he is really the only one that she will listen to. She has never really been officially “trained” although she will sit and lie down on command and is almost to smart for her own good. I have always wondered if she were a  real person what she would say and the stories that she would tell.

After seeing the movie The Golden Compass I realized that Roxy is my dad’s demon, his alter in animal form. She barely ever leaves his side and is an incredible good guard dog. I have never had a sleepless night for fear of an intruder because I know that Roxy is outside protecting the house. She has never really been allowed inside the house however, my dad has a strict policy on not allowing animals inside. So she sits by the door, watching us intently as we eat dinner, waiting for us to throw her a bone.

In addition to the regular pet chow she also gets 2 scrambled eggs a night, it gives her a good amount of protein to chase the jack rabbits, or play fetch with you. Although she absolutely loves chasing after balls the one thing that we can’t seem to manage to teach her is how to bring it back. She isn’t a fair player because she will get the ball if you throw if for her and then run away with it, making you chase after her which she thoroughly enjoys.

Roxy is a special gift to our family. She provides protection, joy, fun and above all companionship. Sometimes I think that she enjoys walking through the vineyards just as much as my dad. Well, after all you know what they say “A dog is man’s best friend”