Diesel the Gentle Giant: Our Surprise at Anura Winery

🐾 Meet Diesel, the star of the Anura Winery.

In our last post, we hinted at a surprise guest—and here he is. While we were happily savoring our tastings, in strolled a magnificent black Giant Schnauzer named Diesel. Standing a striking 25.5–27.5 inches tall (65–70 cm), he made quite the entrance. We weren’t expecting a dog in the tasting room, much less one who walked straight toward us as though we were his long-lost friends.

Diesel wasn’t the least bit concerned about our wine, potential allergies, or whether we might be wary of dogs. His mission was clear: to be loved and petted, no negotiations. With his head nearly level with ours as we lounged on the couch, he demanded space between us—and of course, we obliged. Before long, we were happily scratching, rubbing, and giving him all the affection he was after. Honestly, Diesel acted like we had come to Anura for him, not the wine.

The fun carried on until Wayne, in the middle of his birthday cheer, casually guessed that Diesel must be around five years old. Big mistake. Diesel immediately let out a low growl, turned his back on us, and strutted away. His owner quickly clarified—Diesel was only two. Clearly, even dogs don’t appreciate being aged beyond their years!

Luckily, Diesel must have overheard that it was Wayne’s birthday, because about fifteen minutes later, he returned, all forgiven, ready for more pets and attention. What a character—truly the ham of the winery.

That day, we learned two things:
🍷 We discovered a new love for Malbec, a wine we don’t usually seek out.
🐕 And never underestimate an animal’s awareness—especially when it comes to their age.

Do you have pets who surprise you with their intelligence—or their sensitivity? We’d love to hear your stories and see photos.

🌍 Before moving forward, Wayne and I want to pause and honor a milestone—one year of calling Panama City, Panama, our home. September 9, 2025, marks our “Pana-versary,” and we’d be delighted if you joined us in reflecting on all the lessons and joys of this first year.