So much has gone on
since the last update. In the spring of 2005 Dan purchased a
Freightliner truck and “cow pot” (cattle hauling trailer).
Running cattle in the spring and fall kept him very busy. During
the break between cattle seasons, he leased a dirt/rock trailer and
worked road construction. Finding it hard to charge the ranchers
what he needed to make things work for the truck (and the sky-high
price of fuel), in 2006 we sold the cow pot and purchased end dump and
belly dump dirt/rock trailers. That whole year he ran construction and
did exceptionally well. This year, 2007, has been a slow start
for the industry, but Dan has been pursuing contracts with his DVBE
(Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise) certification and this summer
it’s finally coming through.
Needless to say with this new direction, the dogs and ranch have taken
a back seat for Dan. Much of it has been taken over by myself,
making some necessary changes here at Peckerwood. We no longer
are bringing in calves and the sheep herd has been cut down to a third
of what it used to be. I still am able to take two or three
butcher lamb crops to market. The only down fall is I have to
rely on outside day work to keep the dogs up on their cattle
lessons. I am selling a few started dogs, but the numbers are
dwindling.
2006 saw milestone birthdays for Dan and myself, 60 and 50 respectively. As you have seen, our daughter, Randi, took it upon herself to give everyone a look at the great party we had with over 70 family and friends attending the sweltering afternoon of food and fun. 2006, also, saw the end of a very dearly missed relationship between me and my mule, Fremont. I still have a big whole in my life that I will, most likely, never fill. A young gelding, Peppy, has been in the family for the last couple of years and I have attempted to move him in to the job as my “trusty steed”, but it has been a struggle for me both emotionally and physically. He’s a sweet horse and as honest and gentle as can be, but he has some issues that have made it extremely difficult to use him in the stock dog competitions. So as of this summer, old man Bill, our 40 year old mule, has been “busted out of moth balls”. He’s not very happy about giving up retirement, but until we find a replacement, he’s my man. Besides, Bill can do it all and most everything I ask of him, he’s willing to oblige.
Everything in the new house in done, except for the hearth around the wood stove. Still awaiting for Dan to bring in the rock he wants to use. The porches and decks, that extend completely around the house, are wonderful. The winter is much more bearable when you can still sit outside and enjoy your morning coffee. And the much needed shelter from the hot summer sun keeps the house just right. Ceiling fans and a couple of floor fans are all we’ve needed to stay comfortable. Next year we’ll have the yard in. I’ve already surrounded our outdoor areas with container plants and small flower beds stuck here and there, as we wait for grass.
And life goes on at Peckerwood........
Please feel free to contact us with questions, photo requests or just to chat. There is nothing we enjoy more than to talk animals, that’s why we’re here……
Dan & Patti Wells
13728 Fern Rd East
Whitmore, CA 96096
(530) 472-1013
Email peckerwoodbc@frontiernet.net
2006 saw milestone birthdays for Dan and myself, 60 and 50 respectively. As you have seen, our daughter, Randi, took it upon herself to give everyone a look at the great party we had with over 70 family and friends attending the sweltering afternoon of food and fun. 2006, also, saw the end of a very dearly missed relationship between me and my mule, Fremont. I still have a big whole in my life that I will, most likely, never fill. A young gelding, Peppy, has been in the family for the last couple of years and I have attempted to move him in to the job as my “trusty steed”, but it has been a struggle for me both emotionally and physically. He’s a sweet horse and as honest and gentle as can be, but he has some issues that have made it extremely difficult to use him in the stock dog competitions. So as of this summer, old man Bill, our 40 year old mule, has been “busted out of moth balls”. He’s not very happy about giving up retirement, but until we find a replacement, he’s my man. Besides, Bill can do it all and most everything I ask of him, he’s willing to oblige.
Everything in the new house in done, except for the hearth around the wood stove. Still awaiting for Dan to bring in the rock he wants to use. The porches and decks, that extend completely around the house, are wonderful. The winter is much more bearable when you can still sit outside and enjoy your morning coffee. And the much needed shelter from the hot summer sun keeps the house just right. Ceiling fans and a couple of floor fans are all we’ve needed to stay comfortable. Next year we’ll have the yard in. I’ve already surrounded our outdoor areas with container plants and small flower beds stuck here and there, as we wait for grass.
And life goes on at Peckerwood........
Please feel free to contact us with questions, photo requests or just to chat. There is nothing we enjoy more than to talk animals, that’s why we’re here……
Dan & Patti Wells
13728 Fern Rd East
Whitmore, CA 96096
(530) 472-1013
Email peckerwoodbc@frontiernet.net