Northern Ag Network Note
By Courtney Brown
When I think of Dr. Peila, I think of two things:
1. All of the animals I have loved – 4-H lambs and steers, ranch horses, dear loyal dogs and pesky barn cats neutered after yet another litter.
2. The kind and gentle look in his eyes that said, “It's gonna be all alright.”
I remember that look in his eyes at Montana Fair in Billings when I sold my first lamb.
I remember that look in his eyes when we brought my brother's old gelding Brownie in after Brownie decided to walk through the snow-covered cattle guard.
And I remember that look in his eyes when I brought my brindle boxer, Laila to his office during her last days. I came home to find Laila breathing heavily on the floor, and so I drove her immediately over to Dr. Peila's and did my best to carry her 60lb little body into his office. There, I layed her on my lap and cried bitterly until he could leave his surgery to come talk to me. Dr. Peila put Laila on an intravenous drugs and laid her on blankets near the front office. He tried his best to nurse her back to health and when there was nothing more he could do, he said, “Why don't you just take her home for the night.” I slept with her on the floor in the living room. Her excretory system was failing, she would not eat or drink, but she made it through the night. When my Mom proposed we have Dr. Peila come out to the house and guide her home, Laila decided it was time to let go. She breathed her last breath in my arms.
I know the love that Dr. Peila, Susie, and the whole Peila family showed to us, is not unique to my family. In fact, I am certain that many across Montana have similar memories that are tenderly brought to mind as we remember Dr. Peila.
Dr. Peila will be dearly missed. And yet, I cannot help but smile when I think of his entrance through heaven's gates. Can you imagine the critters that swarmed around him with wagging tails, gentle nudges, and frisky jumps?! What a warm welcome home he must be feeling today.
Jeff Peila Obituary:
Jeffrey Christopher Peila, D.V.M., rode over the great divide on April 29, 2015, after a tenacious battle with cancer.
A Christmas blessing, Jeff was born on Dec. 25, 1950, to Martha (Sutton) and Joseph Peila in Denver. The eldest of eight, he spent his toddler years on the sandy-soiled ranch in Akron, Colo. At age 3, he and the family ventured to Alturas, Calif., where they ranched for a few years before joining the rest of the Peila outfit in Miles City. Jeff’s most precious memories began while living in the homesteaders shack on a ranch north of Miles City. Most material goods were limited, but life was rich in the little house with no running water or electricity, and beef was in full supply, with steak regularly served for breakfast and lunch.
Jeff attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Miles City, living with Grandma Alta in town during the school week in the first grade. He often lamented the fact that he was the only one at school who did not know how to tie his own shoes, as he had always worn cowboy boots until age six. Luckily, he made up for this educational deficiency eventually through his formal education and worked his way through college at Montana State University and veterinary school at Washington State University. In 1976, he married his sweetheart, Susan Herr, and they built a life together raising six children. Jeff gained experience working for Doc Read in Ronan and Joe Vescovi in Roundup. He next endeavored to build his first clinic in Forsyth, which Susie cleverly helped him name the Animal House Hospital — after one of their favorite movies.
In 1985, Jeff followed his passion for treating horses and made a permanent move to Shepherd, where he built a clinic and pursued his specialty in equine care, spending hot summers walking the shed rows of the track and catching a race or two on the back side. His practice grew to incorporate All Creatures, Great and Small; he even had the opportunity to treat an elephant’s foot once when the circus was passing through town!
In 1989, Jeff decided to run some cows on the side. Who knew this would blossom into a full-time operation? He did the work of two men to accomplish this, with the help of steadfast Susie. The little ranch on Mizpah grew to a massive cow operation over 20 years, bringing much enjoyment to him and his kids, while instilling in them an impermeable work ethic. He would always say, “It’s a great day to be alive!” as the crew would hop on the horses to go gather cows.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Martha Peila; grandparents John and Alta Peila; great-grandfather Eugene Sutton; and his great-grandmother Doris Huber.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan; and six children, Marisa (Chris) Stewart, of Bozeman, Laura (Matt) Dumas, of Manhattan, John (Tara), Sarah (Clint) Boucher and Alta, all of Miles City, and Joe, of Denver; seven siblings Joe (Cathi), Matt, Julie (Perry) Gee, Sam (Gretchen), Lucy Bragg, Barb (Craig) Frohlich, Sallie (Gene) Small, along with 13 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In the spirit of the Mizpah, we will miss you Jeff, “until we meet again.”
A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, and a memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 7, also at St. Bernard Catholic Church.
Arrangements are by Heights Family Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com through “Our Families.”
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