Meet the Author
Sherry Simoes has spent more than 35 years working from home in marketing and administration while balancing the busy and rewarding life of family and farm. She lives on a 50-acre horse farm in Ontario, where no two days are ever the same.
When she isn’t at her computer, you’ll likely find her homeschooling her granddaughter Paisley, caring for the animals, or tackling daily farm chores. A lifelong creative spirit, Sherry loves writing stories inspired by the adventures happening around her every day.
She also enjoys baking, cooking homemade meals, preserving food from the garden, and creating products from the herbs and plants grown on the farm. Her love of animals, family, and country living shines through in every Petey story, bringing readers into the heart of farm life through the eyes of a very special little Chihuahua.
Meet the Real Petey
Petey may have become a storybook character, but he was very real — and very loved.
I got Petey as a Birthday present when he was so tiny he could practically fit inside my coffee cup. From the very beginning, we shared a special bond that only grew stronger over the years. He quickly became my constant companion, my little shadow, and my faithful sidekick through every season of life.
Born on July 1, 2006, Petey spent nearly twenty wonderful years filling our home and farm with love, laughter, and plenty of mischief. He passed away on May 15, 2026, leaving paw prints on the hearts of everyone who knew him.
When he was younger, Petey strutted around our 50-acre farm as though he owned every inch of it — and honestly, we all agreed that he probably did. He supervised chores, inspected the barn, visited the horses, and made sure everyone knew he was in charge, despite being the smallest member of the farm family.
Petey loved riding horses, going on adventures, and spending time with his family. Whether he was snuggled on a lap, curled up in his favourite bed, or proudly accompanying us around the farm, he believed his job was to be wherever his people were.
He was brave, loyal, funny, and full of personality. He had a way of making people smile without even trying and seemed to understand exactly what was in your heart. If you were happy, he celebrated with you. If you were sad, he was already there beside you.
The stories in the Petey book series are inspired by his real adventures and the many animals and people who shared his world. While some details have been sprinkled with a little storybook magic, the heart of Petey in these pages is exactly who he was in real life.
Small in size but enormous in spirit, Petey proved every day that the biggest hearts sometimes come in the tiniest packages.
July 1, 2006 – May 15, 2026
Forever our little farm boss.
Meet the Jac
The Real Jac — A Gentle Soul
Nijomi Spirit Jac came to Oleander Farm when he was four years old, and it didn’t take long for everyone to realize there was something very special about him.
Born on June 5, 2003, Jac was a beautiful red dun Quarter Horse with a gentle nature and an incredibly intuitive spirit. He seemed to understand the people and animals around him, quietly knowing when to be careful, when to be patient, and when someone simply needed a friend.
For many years, Papa Luis and Jac competed together in reined cow horse shows, forming a partnership built on trust and understanding. Jac was talented and athletic in the show ring, but some of his most special qualities were seen far away from competition.
He was extraordinarily kind with children.
You could put a child of almost any age on Jac’s back, and he seemed to know immediately that he needed to take care of them. He was patient, gentle and trustworthy—the kind of horse who made children feel safe.
And children weren’t the only little ones Jac carried.
Petey really did ride Jac.
The friendship between the little Chihuahua and the big red dun horse that appears in our stories wasn’t simply something we dreamed up for a children’s book. Petey would actually sit on Jac’s back, and gentle Jac would patiently allow his tiny friend to ride along.
Jac also left a very special legacy at Oleander Farm. He sired four beautiful babies: Cute Princess Nijomi, Chex Out Jacs Cowboy, Chex Out My Sundown, and Hollywood Sunrise. Through them, a little piece of Jac continues to be part of the farm and its story.
On August 8, 2022, at 19 years old, Jac passed away after struggling with breathing issues.
He left behind far more than memories of horse shows, ribbons or rides. He left behind his babies, the children he patiently carried, the people who loved him, and the story of a very big horse who was gentle enough to carry one very little dog.
Jac was a gentle soul with an intuitive spirit—and he will always be part of the heart of Oleander Farm.