My world came crashing in back in early May 2003, when I was ordered to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. At first my heart jumped at the thought of being deployed serving my country-struck a chord of patriotism. Then, with my next thought, my heart sank, “oh no! What will I do with my dogs?” Having spent the last 5 years as an Army Acquisition Officer, (civilian translation-desk jockey) I had become somewhat complacent. I was basically living a civilian life, nine to five, with evenings and weekends to hunt and fish. Enter the three hunting dogs, two pointers, Geddy my big male, and Josey his little sister and Sissy, a slight-framed Brittany who is my constant companion. This is the way you live in a secure world. But the war on terrorism changed life for all of us. No one would have believed I would be deploying anywhere except on occasional business trips to defense contractors or military bases within the continental US. I was caught in a pickle that I thought I had no way of getting out of.

I had checked local kennels, sportsman's clubs, and boarding facilities but the expense of at least 90 days in a kennel for 3 dogs was way out of my league. I just could not justify the couple of thousand dollars to my wife and daughters, and then tell them I was going to a combat theater, while they were to stay back - and, “oh by the way, don't spend a dime”. My dismal situation left me with one solution…get rid of my dogs, as fast as I could. Now if you are like me, your dogs are probably that one source of enjoyment that you can explain solely to like-minded sportsmen, those whom really would understand the depth of my predicament. The least of my fears was combat; the sum of my fears was that day I was forced to let go of those dogs. It was hopeless.

After I absolutely knew I was going to get deployed, I came up with the idea to query the sportsmen's' websites that I belonged to, to see if anyone would offer to make me a deal, as in, at least a reasonable fee for housing my dogs for the duration of my deployment. My solicitation went out on a Friday Night…by Sunday Morning I had 54 offers to house my dogs free of charge! I selected the first response that came in, that Saturday morning, from Jim and Tina Beasley, the owners and operators of Lost River Kennels (lostriverkennels.com). I am not good at begging, but with my state of desperation, I sheepishly called Jim to see if he was really serious.

You can't understand the relief I felt after that phone call with Jim. I felt like he knew what I was going through emotionally, and I could tell he and Tina were real genuine people. He said, “Bring those dogs down anytime, no charge”. So I did.

I felt like I could cry when I saw their operation. Their kennel is absolutely beautiful. Clean, professionally maintained, and all the personal touches that could make dogs comfortable in all seasons, including a misting system for additional coolness in the heat of the summer. Jim and Tina live their hobby and their love of Pointers shows in their facility. It was stunning and that gloom and doom feeling I had disappeared as I drove away from Shoals Indiana, bound for Kuwait, knowing my dogs were going to get great care and be there for me when I returned.

I returned to the states in late August. As I write this it is mid-September and grouse season has started up again. My dogs have been through refresher training, have been exercised, and have a few extra pounds on them just as any birddog owner would require. I am back to my desk jockeying with a severe debt of gratitude to pay.

The best thing I can offer the Beasley's of Lost River Kennels are my finest grouse and woodcock covers early on in the season, and some prime pheasant ground in late October for their great line of Pointers. I can only say thanks a thousand times for their generosity. For this soldier and all the trials and tribulations I have gone through, I look back on those days in the desert and all I can see in my memory is that warm feeling of heartfelt gratitude.