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About the book
The day has arrived at Special T Ranch for the young bulls to try out for the rodeo circuit.
A young bull named Pepper Jack Cole, or PJ, is excited yet nervous to try out, even though he is expected to do very well since his father is a famous rodeo bull.
Things go terribly wrong and his world is upended. This is devastating not only for him but his parents and friends as well.
Pepper Jack Cole gets a one-way ticket to the back pasture where cattle are fattened up for the slaughterhouse.
PJ reflects on the disappointment of his failed tryout while alone in the back pasture. But surprisingly, he isn't alone at all.
A failed attempt at becoming a rodeo bull has left PJ feeling defeated. As he encounters many challenges along the way, he meets new friends who help slowly build his courage and confidence back.
Can his life be redeemed, or is his destiny doomed?
Meet the Friends from Special T Ranch!
At Special T Ranch, everyone has a story. Here are some of the characters that you get to meet in the book! Each of them are based on real life animals found on DJ's farm in Missouri.
PJ (Pepper Jack)
PJ is a kindhearted, curious young bull who learns that even when life doesn’t go as planned, new friends, new adventures, and important lessons, can be found along the way.
Shadow
Shadow is a loyal and clever Border Collie (or cattle dog not sure which would be best) who takes pride in keeping the livestock in line, but always tries to do his job with kindness-and isn’t above making a good trade for a dog biscuit.
Budreau
Budreau is a cautious but loyal little bee who unexpectedly becomes PJ’s encouraging best friend and adventure buddy.
Ethel
Ethel and Mable are devoted pigeon sisters. Ethel the bossy, take-charge protector...
Grady
Grady is a generous treasure-hunting gopher who loves his special finds but doesn’t hesitate to share them or work a little harder to find the perfect treasure for a friend.
Mable
...and Mable, who’s kindhearted, with a dose of anxiousness but they will do whatever they can to help a friend in need.
PRAISE FOR SPECIAL T RANCH
Such a fun story for readers across many ages! There is a lot for kids to learn in this book, life lessons and facts both. A timeless story any child would love.
LIZ
Wonderful book! This would make a great animation movie!
MARK
Very inspirational and great story line!
Family loved it.
JAMYLE
ABOUT DJ DREW
D.J. Drew’s love and understanding of animals began long before Special T Ranch was ever written.
Growing up as an only child on a farm, she found some of her very first playmates and closest companions among the animals around her. She spent countless hours talking to them, caring for them, and learning their individual personalities and behaviors. That connection continued throughout her life as she raised her two children on the farm and now watches her four grandchildren experience the same joy of the farm life. Over the years, her family farm has been home to cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail, miniature pigs, miniature horses, donkeys, rabbits, dogs and even chinchillas.
For eleven years, the family also raised crickets for bait and pet shops, and their fifteen-acre lake has been used to raise catfish.From bottle-feeding newborn animals to helping deliver them into the world, caring for animals has always been a natural part of her life.
As a young woman, D.J. dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but with no opportunity to pursue veterinary training near her home, she chose another profession centered around caring for others and became a Registered Nurse. Now retired from nursing, she still cannot imagine a life without farm animals. A lifetime spent observing and caring for them has taught her that animals have their own ways of communicating-without ever needing human words. She has witnessed their loyalty, personalities, friendship, and remarkable capacity for kindness, and it was that understanding that helped bring the world of Special T Ranch to life.
Through Special T Ranch, D.J. Drew invites children to experience farm life from the animals’ point of view. Woven into their adventures are lessons about friendship, kindness, acceptance, and helping one another, along with opportunities for young readers to discover the different roles animals play on a farm and why each one is important. At its heart, Special T Ranch grew from a little girl who talked to her farm animals as though they were her friends-and a lifelong belief that if we take the time to watch, listen, and care for animals, they have a great deal to teach us.