Thanks our Deaf Dogs Rock Board of Director (and friend) Rebecca Gentry and Nathan Smith with Blue Ridge Beverage  for hosting a fundraiser for Deaf Dogs Rock. A huge shout out and thank you to Nikki Reed and Marc Pecoul with Carrabba’s Italian Grill who hosted a wonderful wine tasting and dinner with Rebecca and Nathan at our local Carrabba’s Italian Grill at Valley View here in Roanoke VA to raise money for Deaf Dogs Rock. Everyone had a wonderful time at the wine tasting and Italian dinner! Their patrons also learned so much about pairing specific flavors of wine with different dishes of Italian food. The pairings focused on matching the local selections of wine here in S.W. Virginia and the wine’s richness and texture with a variety of the dish’s flavors. Think of it like this, light body wines for light dishes, medium body wines for those in-betweeners, and heavy body hitters for your hearty meals.

We are so thankful to so many people who attended this special event at the Carrabba’s to benefit Deaf Dogs Rock.  Because of their kind consideration and participation in this wonderful event,  Rebecca, Nathan, Nikki and the Carrabba’s team raised $645.00 for Deaf Dogs Rock. What a wonderful fundraiser. All funds will go directly to sponsoring deaf shelter dogs out of kill shelters into the safe arms of rescue.

 

Above: Rebecca with deaf hero dog Nitro in 2018. Rebecca is the reason we adopted deaf dog Nitro in 2010 when she introduced us to him in the shelter.  Rebecca and Nitro were the inspiration for us to launch in 2011 what is known around the world today at Deaf Dogs Rock.  If it wasn’t for Rebecca reaching out to us to come and meet deaf puppy Nitro, Deaf Dogs Rock would not exist today. 

 

Above: The digital invite to the Wine Tasting Dinner and event at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Roanoke, VA on 11/11/25 

 

Above: Rebecca Gentry and Nathan Smith with Blue Ridge Beverage here in Roanoke, did a great job with the display and prize table the night of the dinner and wine tasting event to benefit Deaf Dogs Rock. 

 

 

Above: Every table was full at Carrabba’s Italian Grill at the dinner and wine tasting on 11/11/25. Dinner and wine were enjoyed by all. Thank you so much to all the kind people who participated and donated to Deaf Dogs Rock on this special event. Because of your kindness, we will be able to sponsor three deaf dogs into special needs rescues. 

 

Above: Marc Pecoul with Carrabba’s at Valley View (in Roanoke, VA) serving wine to his guests at the wine tasting dinner to benefit Deaf Dogs Rock. 

 

 

Also, Congratulations to both Rebecca and Nathan on their recent engagement. They make such a great team! Rebecca is also one of our Deaf Dogs Rock Board of Directors (since 2014) and we are so happy for Nathan and Rebecca!

Thanks again to all the participants who attended this wonderful evening event and for their kind consideration and support of Deaf Dogs Rock so we can continue to help deaf dogs in need.

We so appreciate all your support and efforts!

~ Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock