“What is your dog’s favorite step in the wine making process?” Waggleview with Co-Owners of Southern Connecticut Wine Company, Amanda Brackett and Deana Morin.

Please read the Waggleview below to find out about these remarkable Wine making women leaders and their dogs. Woof on!

The Dog Owner: Amanda Brackett, Winemaker and Co-owner at Southern Connecticut Wine Company, http://www.soconnwineco.com a Wine Making Facility in Wallingford, CT. Member of the Women Winemakers of Connecticut.

Dog type and Name: My boy’s name is Harry, after Harry Houdini because he is definitely an escape artist. He is an Aussie Shepard/ Bernese Mountain Dog mix… we think.

 

The Dog Owner: Deana Morin,  Co-Owner & Business Manager of Southern Connecticut Wine Company, http://www.soconnwineco.com a Wine Making Facility in Wallingford, CT. Member of the Women Winemakers of Connecticut.

Dogs type and Name:  Cody–American Fox Hound Blend ( I mean mix )  / Hannah – Doberman Pincher

 

Q: Why did you choose your dogs?

Amanda: I didn’t choose Harry. I’m sure everyone says that, but I really didn’t choose him… I was living in southern California and my husband had just deployed to Iraq. I was sitting outside of my usual coffee shop, Skyping with my hubbie. A woman came up to me and asked if I wanted this dog. I said that I was all set. My husband asked me to show him the dog, so I maneuvered the camera so he could see the pup. He said, “Wow, I bet I could teach that dog to surf.” How could I say no to that!

Harry doesn’t surf.

It took about 15 seconds for Harry to make himself a permanent part of my family.

Deana: I’d like to say I chose our dogs but in reality, they choose me. Cody was a rescue sort of.  He was born to a stray mom and was one of 12 puppies. By the time I heard about him, he was already 8 weeks old and ready to go home. When I first met him, he was chasing his tail and not really interested in what the humans were doing.  We almost chose his black & white brother – but once Cody looked at me with those eyes…it was as if he had known me his whole life. It was love at first site. I knew he’d be coming home with us that day.  In hindsight, I believe that Cody was meant for us. Cody has Addison’s disease. It’s a condition where his body does not make any adrenalin and it requires medical attention each month to keep him healthy. I think in that moment when he looked at me, he knew we would be his forever family and that we would take care of him. Cody is a sweet boy.

My mom used to say; you get the child you deserve or that you’d get one that was worse than you were as a child…. For me, that was not the case. Our son is a wonderful young man who has brought nothing but joy to our life. Unless, of course, she meant you get the dog you deserve…  Meet Hannah. Hannah was a gift to my husband from me on his birthday 3 years ago. I searched local breeders and rescues but couldn’t find a Doberman, which is the breed he really wanted. Now, I know that is not the best way to purchase a pet but I really wanted to give him this surprise and time was running out. So I looked on line and found Hannah with a breeder out West. When I called to inquire I was told she was already sold. Frustrated and now completely out of time, I gave up. A week later, I received an email from the breeder asking if I was still interested in Lily (what they were calling her). It turns out those who were interested in her had backed out and she was available again. I took the chance and made arrangements to pick her up the following week. Hannah is an independent, head strong, bossy young girl… hmm, sounds familiar. Guess Mom was right.

 

 

Q: Do you talk to your dogs? If so, what do you talk about?

Amanda: I talk to him all the time… “Damnit Harry, don’t roll it that!”

“Put that down.”

“Harry, what’s that smell?”

 

 

Deana: Yes all the time. I ask them all day long if they want to eat, or if they want a cookie or to go for a walk….

I also tell them how I love them and how cute they are.

 

Q: If your dogs could talk to you, what would they say?

Amanda: Harry goes everywhere with us. I’m sure that he has road rage. If Harry could throw out four letter words, I’m sure he would.

Deana: They’d give me their grocery list.

 

Q: If your dogs had a job or career, what would they be doing?

Amanda: If Harry had a job, it definitely would be my personal assistant. He is NEVER more than ten steps away from me.

 

Deana: Cody would be a clown. He’s goofy and likes to make us laugh. Hannah would be Xena Warrior Princess, if that were an actual job.

 

Q: What lesson in life have your dogs taught you?

Amanda: When I adopted Harry, we had an emergency vet visit almost immediately. He had a cyst that burst in his ear and there was blood everywhere. When we got the vet, I had zero background info on him. The woman that gave him to me said that he was two, maybe three years old. The vet said that he still hadn’t gotten all of his permanent teeth, meaning he was about seven months old. He scanned for a chip to see if we could discover any additional information. There was contact information for five DIFFERENT owners.

Five different families threw Harry away before he was a year old. He could have become a skittish and apprehensive dog, but he is full of love.

 

Deana: Compassion. Patience.  Forgiveness.

 

 

Q: What would be your dog’s favorite step in the wine making process?

Amanda: Harry’s favorite part of the wine making process is definitely the aging process. He spends his day laying in between stacks and guarding the barrels.

 Deana: Tasting….  Isn’t that everyone’s? 🙂

 

Q: How do your dogs inspire you?

Amanda: My boy is optimistic about EVERYTHING. The doorbell, kitchen cabinets, snack time with the baby, trips in the car, hanging out in the backyard. He loves it all. 

Deana:  I think they motivate more than inspire.  I’m motivated to exercise knowing that they’ll enjoy the walk just as much as I will.

Q: Where are your dog’s favorite places to go with you?

Amanda: We go everywhere together. His favorite place to go is definitely the winery. He hangs out amongst the barrels and guards the vino. I’m pretty sure that he likes it so much because we don’t have central air at home and the winery is temperature controlled…

 

Deana: Cody likes to go to Grandma’s house. Hannah likes to hang out side in our yard. Most of all, they both like to go to our bed when we sleep! 🙂

 

 

Q: Who or what do your dogs find the most interesting?

Amanda: Harry finds horses very interesting. He is unsure is he should herd them, be afraid of them or discuss politics. He also enjoys chasing birds, except for this one pigeon that has made his new home at the winery. “Pigeon Ximenez” is a white king pigeon that got lost in a storm and showed up at the winery about four months ago. He and Harry sun bathe in the parking lot and co exist peacefully. Harry chases off all of he other birds, but he hangs with “PX”.

 

Deana: Hmm… tough one. I would have to say Cody finds grocery bags most interested. His nose is always sniffing out something when I get home from grocery shopping.

Hannah – Hannah finds the squirrels most interesting…. 

 

Q: What is the most annoying thing other dog owners do?

Amanda: Most annoying thing that other dog owners do is not picking up after their dog! If your dog poops… PICK IT UP. 

Deana: Leave their pets in hot cars.

 

Q: What does being a responsible dog owner mean to you?

Amanda: A dog is a part of the family. Not an accessory, social statement and certainly not lawn ornament. A responsible dog owner understands that. 

Deana: It always amazes me how when I give our dogs a snack they take it without any hesitation. That’s trust. They know and trust that I will not do anything to harm them. They know I have given them a warm, safe home. Being responsible is not just feeding your pets. It’s everything… especially love and attention. 

 

Q: Do you ever dress up your dogs? If so, as what?

Amanda: I dress Harry up ALL THE TIME. It started off as dog shaming, but turns out that he really enjoys the attention. He has a grape costume that he occasionally wears around the winery. We call him “Harold the Grape”. It’s absolutely hilarious. Harry and my son went out on Halloween as dinosaurs last year and he has an outfit for every holiday.

 

Deana: If sweaters are included, then yes.  I’ve dressed them up.

 

Q: How have your dogs changed your life?

Amanda: I can’t imagine my family’s life without Harry. He is way more than just a pet. He is a member of our family and he is our son’s protector and best friend. 

Deana: I can’t picture my life without my dogs. They make our house a home.

 

Q: Do your dogs have a philosophy of life?

Amanda: “He knows not where he’s going; for the ocean will decide; It’s not the destination, but the glory of the ride.” –Zen Dog

 

Deana: Sleep, eat, play… and not necessarily in that order.

 

Q: I love my dog because “he loves me on my good days and he loves me on my bad days.” Amanda

Q:  I love my dogs “for lots of reasons, but mostly just because.” Deana 

 

Q: Have you ever made dog treats for your dogs? If so, please share your recipe.

Amanda: …From damndelicious.net. This is Harry’s fav treat… Well actually, Harry loves anything with bacon.

Ingredients

• 2 slices bacon, diced
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, or more, as needed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes; set aside, reserving excess fat.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat pumpkin puree, eggs and bacon fat on medium-high until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually add old-fashioned oats and 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky. Add bacon, beating just until incorporated.
• Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters cut out desired shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Place into oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. *
• Let cool completely.

Deana:  Yes. I’ve made lots, but my dogs favorite; Sweet potatoes.

Take a large sweet potato, washed and sliced thin. Bake in a low oven 250 degrees for 2 hours.  Remove from oven and let sit out over night until crisp. Store in a zip lock bag for up to a week.

 

 

 

WAGGLEVIEWS: These interviews are focused on woman leaders in business, the community, or at home. My hope in doing this is to present remarkable and respected women in their community with their beloved pets. Who can resist reading about dogs and what these women do? This is a platform for women to display their talents; their own business, a new book, a deeply loved passion for a charity or their own job. It also shows their love for their dog!

Thank you Amanda and Deana for taking the time to participate in the Waggleview.

Please leave a comment.

So, do you think your dog would like to be a wine maker or a brewmaster?

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