Gone to the Dogs by Lindsay Dodson-Brown

Meet the Canines of Cass – our very special friends. If you have ever had the pleasure of visiting our winery, you may have noticed the large barn doors at the entrance to the tasting room. On the inside wall are tacked various pictures of curious looking dogs. “What’s the story?” many a customer will ask. We’re proud to share that these dogs were rescued right here at Cass. Most of these lucky canines (including one mother cat and her kittens) now reside comfortably in ‘forever homes’. The sad truth is many a stray dog has been found in the vicinity of the winery, owners perhaps falling on hard times hoping someone might take them in if found wandering countryside. We do what we possibly can to save them before they meet an unfortunate end. Our staff has helped find new homes for over 15 incredibly lucky dogs in the almost 7 years our doors have been open to the public.

Maybe you have met Buster Brown, the infectiously sweet Staffordshire terrier that Bryan Cass adopted after finding him running stray in our

vineyards 7 years ago, or maybe you have met Violet, a border collie mix I found running down the road in a panic after her companion had been hit by a passing truck. Violet now lives with Steve & Alice Cass and when you meet her, she makes her traumatic past disappear with a happy wag of her tail. We love when the dogs we have re-homed come by with their new owners for a visit. One of the most rewarding reunions was when a dog we saved played the star in his newly adopted owners vineyard wedding rehearsal here at the winery.

We really do pride ourselves on being a dog friendly winery. Well-behaved leashed dogs are always welcome on our covered patio. What’s better than enjoying a glass of wine with your four legged friend on our covered patio? Maybe working up an appetite and thirst by stretching your legs and taking your pup for a stroll through our sun soaked estate vineyards.

We have a new addition to the back of the barn door and to CASS. Meet Brix (aka Brixie). We rescued Brix from a Cal Poly student, owner of a Rhodesian Ridgeback who had given birth to 14 (yes 14!!!) puppies. Against all odds and at a mere 2.2 lbs, Brix survived a cold winter outdoors, rejected by her mother who repeatedly carried her far away to fend for herself, fighting her way back from a riverbed to her littermates to be bullied and carried off again. I was immediately hopelessly head over heels in love with this crusty pathetic malnourished yet remarkable tiny creature that more resembled a muskrat than a puppy. Even our vet was amazed at her resilience and warned us she might not make it. Fast-forward almost 2 full months later and she is a whopping 19 lb, healthy, active, loving and boisterous -- I mean REALLY boisterous -- puppy. Brixie would love to meet you and your four-legged friends on your next visit to the winery so come on by and say hi and maybe consider bringing your own lucky pup along.