We have been breeding and showing Bullmastiffs since 1995 from our
home in Madison, Wisconsin. By 2004; we needed more space so we
searched for nearby property that included outbuildings and some acreage. We considered ourselves fortunate to have found a modest
parcel of 5 acres just twentyminutes from Madison that was best described by us as a "fixer upper". Everything from the eclectic house to the overgrown and neglected vineyard and orchards was a disaster, but we saw the place had "good bones". The property was established in 1850 and we discovered that one of the outbuildings was the first post office built in Wisconsin, complete with pigeon holes for delivering air mail messages and a sliding glass window for drive up carriage service.

It was not necessary to sell our home in Madison so we were able to clean, remove carpet and paint prior to moving our dogs and ourselves. We then did the same to the Madison property and kept it as income property. We continued to make improvements as we could to our new place, adding a ten run indoor / outdoor kennel directly to the back of the house, fencing a 110 foot by 100 foot enclosure that includes part of the house and kennel for the dogs to play, remodeling a bathroom and installing a new kitchen.

The gentleman that had planted the orchard came to help us identify and evaluate the neglected property. Our hope was that we could establish a small organic farm, selling the produce to local stores and restaurants. He was saddened by the conditions and his opinion was that the orchard should be turned under and that perhaps there was some hope for the vineyard. He had bought the property in 1967 because of the vineyard and hoped to see it survive the neglect of the previous owners.

We began by clearing the perimeter and working inward, offering free wood to those who wished to cut it themselves. This has been a slow process, as people came and went as their need and schedule allowed. We began to re-think what we wanted to do with the property, still wishing to establish a small working farm. Perhaps a few seasonal pigs and cattle to stock the freezer and sell the rest? Then I saw infomercials on alpacas. We collected information for our research and started visiting farms and went to local alpaca shows. While driving a back road to town one day, we discovered a place that had alpacas - just four and a half miles away! We contacted Jeff Gunderson of Wisconsin Alpacas who was very informative and helpful. We volunteered to help with chores, cutting nails, grinding teeth and shearing. Hands on was a great way to learn! We also visited Mike Schmidt of Brainstorm Nursery in Colfax, WI and got an excellent view of a large operation. Mike was as helpful as everyone else that we have met researching alpacas. We learned that heaven is being surrounded by LOTS of alpacas. We were hooked!

A lot of time has been spent on the internet reviewing available
animals and their lineage, as this is an interest of Michael's with regard to the dogs. During this time, it became prudent to sell the property in Madison, and we decided the best way to re-invest for the future was in alpacas. We got our feet wet purchasing several young males from two separate ranches. The first group to arrive came just as the last stretch of pasture fencing was hung. We now have fourteen alapcas. Neighbors drive by very slowly to observe these animals. An unsolicited comment from a woman said a smile comes to her when she passes and sees all the ongoing changes we've been making here. Changes will continue to happen and we plan to add a female or two in the near future. The most pleasurable time of the day is when I feed the boys and change their water as they all come to greet me with a sniff or quick rub of their head. I will always be in the mist of these lovely animals!