For the Love of a Boxer Rescue & Sanctuary - Michigan

11/06/2025

Jess……..lovin’ the off leash life!!!

11/05/2025

Well, its been 58 trips around the sun for me today. And I can honestly say, I'm busier than ever!

I whelped my 35th litter this year since starting the rescue. Totalling 226 puppies born. And 19 of those puppies left my hands to become angels.

I have personally cared for and adopted out well over 1,200 boxers and 100 boston terriers. Watching these dogs come in as scared 'livestock' who lived in cages, and finally leaving as 'dogs' who have entire futures ahead of them full of love and comfort is the best hobby I could have!

Now some facts.........

I am 100% a volunteer. No one associated with my rescue is paid. Everyone here volunteers to help the dogs.

I have been known to spend up to 8 hours a day😱doing rescue work: postings, answering emails, chatting with adopters, making phone calls, designing things, etc.

I have a regular job, as an engraver of gifts (glasses, cutting boards, cake knife sets, tumblers, xmas ornaments, etc). This has been my day job for about 9 years. And thank goodness it's flexible and my boss understands! 🤣

I also run a wedding supply business, and sell alot of my 'goods' on Etsy.

I also own and operate an AirBnB just a few houses away from my own.

I have been married to the Rescue Man for 31 years.

I have 2 daughters, one in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin.

And I am the grandma to 3 grandsons. All of which I can honestly say call me "Grandma with the dogs". 🤣

Now for some honest facts............

This has been the hardest year financially. We have been in and out of the red all year due to low donations and high intake of breeder dogs and the horrible conditions and vet needs of these dogs.

And that makes me question our future at times. Can our village of boxer lovers keep supporting the dogs being used and abused and discarded like an old couch, all worn out and ragged? I am not ready to toss in the towel, and these dogs NEED a place to go and a village of people COMMITTED to keeping them from euthansia or more suffering! And I think that all starts with ME!!!!

And because of ALL OF YOU, we just DO THIS!! It just keeps happening! And my heart is happy because of it!

So as I post this today, celebrating 58 years of me, I want to also say, there are SEVEN BOXERS AT AUCTION coming up on 11/15.

Can we HELP THEM? In honor of my birthday, can we raise funds for THEM in honor of me???

You can donate via Facebook by simply clicking the DONATE button on this post.

To donate via PayPal:
Paypal.me/fortheloveofaboxer

To donate via Venmo:


Our profile pics is a senior white & fawn boxer dog and our last 4 digits of our phone is 1911.

As always, your donations are tax deductible, as we are a 501.c(3) non-profit.

NOTE: Our legal IRS name is RUFF START BOXER RESCUE and when you donate it might show up as that -- Don't Fret! It's us!!! 🙂 Recent changes to FB show our LEGAL IRS name now!

11/04/2025

Today is a very sad day for me. Today, this girl, Jess, has been in my rescue for ONE YEAR.

We have seldom had a dog so long in rescue. It just doesn't happen. But alas, she's a mix of boxer and terrier, has her tail, and people shy away from her.

It is the never ending story of the 'shelter dog' who has some terrier in it's blood and scares people away.

Jess is THE SMARTEST dog in our rescue right now.

She was a pet. She lived in a home with over a dozen other dogs when her owner died and left no one to care for them. All the dogs were transferred to the St Louis, MO shelter.

After seeing the plight of 14 incoming boxers/mixes, we reached out. We took 6 of them into our rescue. Jess is the only one not adopted yet..............

So Jess waits. And Jess waits. And Jess waits. And everyone overlooks her. Everyone. 365 days of waiting. And no one picks Jess.😭

She walks on leash. She sits. She stays. She comes. She doesn't need a fence. She is vibe collar trained. She plays with male and female dogs daily during daycare. She loves to ride in the car and is an excellent traveller. She listens better than any dog here. She is dying to please her humans, and will do anything for a treat!

But Jess hates cats. And sometimes, we are told by the one family that took her home (for 24 hours), that she didn't want to share the couch with another dog and her new human mama, and a scuffle ensued. But we don't know what happened there, as we've never seen a scuffle here during any playtime, whether gentle or rough.

But for that one reason, we've steered her future to be an only dog so that we don't have to worry, and nor would Jess.

And her adoption fee has been fully sponsored by a supporter in hopes of her finding a forever home. But still........Jess waits.

And I wait. I've cried tears for this girl. I've taken her for rides to town to get her out of the kennel situation. I take her on daily walks in the fields and woods to help her not grow kennel sour. My heart hurts so badly for this girl, as she is so deserving.

She lost her last owner to death, and now she has no one to love her or be loved by. All because she is a mix, and that scares people away.

I'm sorry Jess. I am trying, I really am. Happy One Year in Rescue today lovey. I'll have extra treats and extra hugs for you today, because my heart aches for you to have been waiting for so very, very long. 💔

11/04/2025

Mornings with the Rescue Lady……

Deaf baby Boxie is waiting for a forever home!

11/04/2025

11/03/2025

My grandson Brad, Roxy getting lovins’, Ollie and Suzy too!

11/03/2025

Morning walk in the woods with Jess.

Darn city dog left me! 😂🫣

11/03/2025

Deafies! 🤣

Just because everyone else is awake doesn’t mean he’s ready! Not hearing the chaos sure must be nice!

11/02/2025

Czar loves kids!

What else he loves: kisses, snuggles, pets, treats, female dogs and naps.

What he doesn’t love: cats, small dogs with attitudes,and some male dogs.

11/02/2025

Morning……through the eyes of a deafie. 💙

11/01/2025

Having small puppies adds in challenges for inside/outside access.

Having small height steps. Having an easy to use dog door. Closing up gaps where little paws could slip into. Modifications have to be made to insure 100% safety.

Oh and making sure there is 24/7 entertainment! 🤣

11/01/2025

I've got some insulated tumblers to sell!

Who wants one?

$25 includes shipping! (be sure to include your address with your payment!)

To purchase via PayPal:
Paypal.me/fortheloveofaboxer

To purchase via Venmo:


Our profile pics is a senior white & fawn boxer dog and our last 4 digits of our phone is 1911.