Jet, a 9-month old puppy, is staying in the home of Waterloo resident Darlene Spihlmann until his owner returns from active military duty. (Sean McGowan photo)

Having been raised in the home of a Purple Heart recipient who served in the Korean War, Darlene Spihlmann said respect for those who serve or have served is not a new concept for her.

“He (Ralph Spihlmann) taught us at an early age to have respect for the flag and for people who serve,” she said, adding she volunteers with the local USO organization.

Consequently, when the Waterloo woman found out about the organization Dogs on Deployment — which connects deployed servicemen and women with people in the area willing to board their pets — she didn’t hesitate to get involved.

“I joined back in (2015), but Jet is the first dog I’m boarding,” she said of the 9-month-old puppy she started taking care of in August.

Lance Guyton, who is a senior airman in the United States Air Force, was stationed at Scott Air Force Base until he recently received an assignment for deployment. That’s when Spihlmann stepped in to house Jet for Guyton.

“At least once a week, I’ll take a picture or video. I send that to Lance’s girlfriend in St. Louis, and she forwards it to him,” she said of letting Lance see how Jet is adjusting to his temporary home.

Spihlmann’s profile on the Dogs on Deployment website shows that she will only accept small or medium sized dogs for up to a year’s time. Additionally, she will not take in more than two dogs at a time.

Dogs on Deployment boarders can house any pet of their choosing. Not to mention, people from anywhere in the country can sign up to board pets, and there are close to 8,000 boarders listed on the organization’s page. Only about 40 pets show needing a temporary home.

For more information, go to dogsondeployment.org or Facebook.com/DogsonDeployment. 

Registering to be a boarder requires creating a profile on the website that shows such information as where the boarder lives and what pets he or she is willing to board. 

Similarly, military service members must create a profile revealing their name and location and the type of pet they need boarded, among other tidbits. Spihlmann said some additional steps are required after registration is completed.

Jet gives Spihlmann a run for her money, since she’s used to life with her 14-year-old beagle, Boomer, and 14-year-old terrier, Mattie.

“He is my child with ADHD. My other two get up when they need to eat or go to the bathroom,” she said. “They’re older so when they see all of his energy, they’re like, ‘What is this?’”

Overall, though, she said Jet seems to be settling in nicely. Spihlmann’s new house guest also has a playful demeanor that she constantly finds new ways to enjoy.

“I found out the hard way that he loves water. I was attempting to clean my bird bath, and you know those videos of the dogs jumping through the water?” she said. “That was Jet. 

“It was funny. I set up the sprinkler one time to see what he would do and he kept trying to eat the water.”