HELP PINOT FIGHT BONE CANCER!
Pinot…Oh Pinot...Many of you have met him. Many have wanted to meet him. This is a story of a man and his dog.
Pinot has been the face, logo and mascot of The Winery at Manzanita since I conceived the concept back in 2014. Visits to the Oregon Coast, specifically Manzanita and all the dogs we met at the beach, inspired the idea of making wine on the Coast and having Pinot as the logo.
I adopted Pinot when he was 2 months old from a shelter in The Dalles, Oregon. That was 13.5 years ago. It has been a beautiful journey of friendship, from the moment I sat on the floor and he climbed into my lap. In that moment I knew he would be coming home with me. In this moment, I am crying as I remember that day, the many days we have had in between, and the moment that faces us right now.
Two months ago, a lump appeared behind Pinot’s right eye. I thought he had bumped his head and expected it to go away. It did not. In a month, it doubled in size. I took him to the vet. We took a sample for analysis. It came back as inconclusive.
After another month of consults and another doubling in the size of the tumor, it has become clear that it is an osteo sarcoma, a bone cancer. Much of his right front orbital lobe bone is gone. The cancer has eaten through it. His right eye is weeping and this morning, the lower eye lid was stuck and his eye drifting upward from the pressure of the tumor.
Despite this tumor, Pinot and I regularly walk or hike 3-5 miles a day together. If he wasn't in good spirits, didn't perk up at my question "do you want to go for a walk?", wasn't excited about food, a treat, I would be thinking differently. It is not his time yet, but if I do not take action, the tumor will likely spread to his brain and the rest of his body. I grieve already for his right eye, but whether I take action or not, his right eye will be taken, as the tumor is advancing rapidly.
So it comes down to a tough choice with an old, good friend, my best friend, to do a surgery that is necessary to save his life, but will take his eye. Astonishingly so, animal surgery is just as expensive or more expensive than human surgery.
The CT scan alone, just for his head, is estimated at the low end of $3000 and the high end of $4000, as dogs, unlike humans, have to be put under anesthesia for a CT scan. The CT scan will show in greater detail than the Xray how deep the tumor goes into the orbital lobe. And then there are the surgical costs, another $6000, at least.
The insurance I have for him turns out to be preventive and does not cover surgery. I will pay out of pocket for the CT scan and surgery. This is why I am asking for your help, for those of you that know him and even for those of you who would like to know him. He is a kind and gentle soul, from when I adopted him at 2 months old as a puppy to now as an elder dog.
In return for your assistance, we have a lot of great rewards and experiences to offer you. They are roughly at cost, some well below and a great value. From logo dog bandanas to our highest level of Woof Wine Club membership for a year, I think there is something for everyone.
Rewards & Donation Level
Merch:
Logo Dog Bandana $5
Logo Glass $15
Short Sleeved T-Shirt $20
Long Sleeved T-Shirt $25
Experiences:
Flights for Two $35
Flights for Six $100
Mixed Half Case ($300 value) $225
Mixed case ($600 value) $450
Pizza Party for 20 (2 hours, drinks, pizza) $750
Available at Black Dog Vineyard only:
Estate Tasting for Two $70
Oak Tree Experience $175
Group Estate Tasting for Six $200
Available at Bend Wine Bar only:
Wine and Local Crafts Basket $275
Woof Wine Club Memberships:
Woof Club Membership, 1 year, Sit Level, 4 bottles/quarter ($1200 value) $800
Woof Club Membership, 1 year, Shake Level, 6 bottles/quarter ($1600 value) $1200
Woof Club Membership, 1 year, Stay Level, 12 bottles/quarter ($3200 value) $2400
Terms:
Items/experiences must be picked up in person or used by 12/31/25
Experiences not available on holidays; may not be available on some weekends; coordinate details with location manager
Wines can be shipped, but shipping is extra
Merchandise must be picked up in person
With our five locations, I hope that we can reach a wide audience of support. We'll be having GoFundMe parties in February where you can donate in person. It is an opportunity for everyone to experience each location for its unique offerings, whether its in urban Portland in neighborhood chic Slabtown, the Oregon Coast, the heart of Pinot noir country in Yamhill-Carlton or Central Oregon.
Pinot Parties:
Thursday, 2/20/25, The Winery at Manzanita: Pinot Bingo, 5-7 pm
Tuesday, 2/25/25, Bend Wine Bar: Pirate Bingo, 6-8 pm
Friday, 2/28/25, Manzanita NW: Happy Hour, 5-7 pm
Friday, 2/28/25, Black Dog Vineyard: After Hours Party, 5-7 pm
We have grown and matured as a business and Pinot has been with me every step of the way. I am ok with saying he is likely more well known than I am am! ;)
I owe it to him to fight this fight. I hope you will join us in doing so. Thank you!
Mark Proden
Winemaker/owner
Pinot's Dad