Central’s Canine Champion

Article by Mia Freneaux
    When Louis DeJohn set out almost 12 years ago to find a hunting dog, he had no idea where that would eventually lead him.  After a 2 year search for a dog with the perfect combination of spunk, friendliness, and obedience, he came across a litter of Yellow Labrador Retrievers in south Baton Rouge.  That was the first sign of God's involvement to Louis' mind – the seller turned out to be his wife Becky's Bible Study teacher.  Nick-named "Beamer" after a gold colored BMW they had recently purchased, the pup started training at 6 months with Ronnie Lee of Louisville, Mississippi.  The rest is history. 
    "GRHRCH Beckylou's Bayou Beamer, MH, MNH9, QAA" has become the most decorated hunting dog in the entire country, with no less than 9 Master National Passes, 4 HRC Grand Passes, and having achieved Field Trials Qualified All Ages. For all his awards, Beamer remains a lovable, friendly family pet, eager to play and practice his retrieving skills.  "If I don't practice with him several times a day, he refuses to eat," shares Louis with pardonable pride. "He is that much a competitor.  He is the premier athlete of the dog world."
    Beamer's passion for competition has earned him a place in the Master National Hall of Fame. This honor is even more admirable when one realizes that each championship involved Beamer winning 6 different events – much like a decathlete in the Olympics.  But all this seemed to be coming to an end a few years ago when Beamer went to a routine veterinarian appointment and was discovered to be suffering from "bloat", which can kill a dog in 20 minutes.  After emergency surgery, Beamer bounced back, "The second sign of God's work in my life through Beamer," says Louis.  Then, just this past August, "Beamer was training in Minnesota when I got a call from Ronnie.  He told me I had better drive up quickly because it was very serious.  Cancer was suspected.  A friend drove with me on a 23 hour non-stop drive, and when we arrived, Beamer looked like a dead dog."   The veterinarian in Baton Rouge ran multiple tests, and sent Beamer home with an IV drip.  The next day, Louis was sure the dog was dying, and he and the family said their heart broken goodbyes  before Louis took him to be put down.  The vet, however, discovered that Beamer's problem was not cancer, but a hole in his intestine, which was surgically corrected.  3 weeks later, Beamer was jumping into the swimming pool and raring to go.  After consulting with Ronnie, it was decided that Beamer would participate in his 9th National Championship at an age when most dogs retire.  Would he have the stamina to finish 6 days of trials at 5 weeks out from major surgery?  Louis remembered, "By the last day, everyone had heard Beamer's story.  There were people there from all over the country.  Since the 600 or so competing dogs are divided up into groups, usually only 40-50 people are watching a trial.  At Beamer's last trial, over 300 people were cheering him on."  Beamer went on to win his 9th National title, and today looks stronger than ever.  Louis credits the intervention of God.  As Ronnie said, "This is something bigger than you and me.  That dog is not supposed to be alive."