For others like Donna Tucker of Vermillion, her enthusiasm for the dogs she loves reaches across multiple state lines.

“My husband and I became involved in boxer rescue out of necessity,” she said. “People who knew our love of the breed would contact us when they knew of a boxer needing help finding a new home. With six boxers in our home, we came to the realization that we needed to start finding awesome homes, as our home was maxed out. It started out as Clay County Boxer Rescue - we quickly grew, which turned into South Dakota Boxer Rescue. With the help of many awesome volunteers boxer rescue evolved into Northern Plains Boxer Rescue which serves 5 states.”

According to Tucker, NPBR has to date adopted out over 1,300 boxers since becoming a nonprofit.

“I am very proud of the fact that a handful of volunteers have created such a successful organization that has been maintaining since 1997,” she said.

“What keeps me going is seeing the success stories.

“She lived the first years of her life on a chain because she didn’t get along with the house cat,” Tucker said. “The picture of her lying on the ground with a huge chain (which a locksmith was required to free her of the chain) looking so defeated was hard for NPBR to turn their back on. The most touching part is that she is being fostered with a family in Sioux City who have two house cats.

It wasn’t love at first sight, but with the diligent training of her foster family, she learned to co-exist with cats in the home. There are many stories such as Bijou, I could go on and on.” Bijou’s foster family was also touched by her heartbreaking beginning.

“She had been abused repeatedly by the monster masquerading as her owner,” they wrote. “She had been attacked by other dogs while on her chain.

When she was finally rescued by her angel, they had to bring along a locksmith because no one could locate the key to the padlock, which had been locked for years at that point. She had the appearance of a dog who had simply given up, and could you blame her? I was told that when they finally got her unlocked, and got her into the car to take her away from this nightmare situation, that she laid down in the car and let out a deep, huge sigh of relief.”

Tucker focuses on Boxers specifically because she said she grew up with the breed and knows best what their needs are when matching to a particular family.

“Boxers are energetic, athletic, intelligent dogs that need exercised mentally and physically,” she said. “As the saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog. For some boxers, a walk around the block will not do it to expend their energy. A family that does not have time to devote to exercising their boxer may find their fur kid develop behavioral issues because this need is not met. The Boxer’s most notable characteristic is his desire for human affection. The Boxer is happiest when he is with people--especially children, watching protectively over their play.”

The best feeling in the world is when a boxer goes to their new home and you know you made a difference in the boxer’s life and the family.”

A recent touching story is about Bijou, a rescue boxer currently with a foster family.

There are multiple opportunities for the community to become involved.

“Fundraising is a huge part of the success of NPBR,” Tucker said. “Adoption fees rarely cover the cost of care of a boxer while in foster care. NPBR puts on many events in which extra hands and expertise in fundraising are needed. NPBR has many events throughout the five state region - the website http://www.everyboxercounts.com has a schedule of events. Our biggest events upcoming are the 7th Annual Boxers & Bikers Poker Run which is June 18th and September 24th the 7th Annual Boxer Walk.”

Foster families are also always welcome. “NPBR always is in need of committed foster homes,” Tucker said. “Foster homes are the foundation of rescue, or referred to as the “gold” in rescue. Without committed foster homes, NPBR could not continue to save the boxers in need. A foster family is asked to supply basic obedience, assessment of the personality of the dog and what type of family would be the best match. NPBR supplies crates, food, and medical care.”

Tucker and her family have been through the process themselves.

“Presently, our personal boxers are Hanna (9 yr. old female) and Howie (4 yr. old male) who were what rescue refers to as ‘foster failures’,” she said. “This is the term applied to when a family who fosters a boxer decides they want to adopt and make the dog a permanent addition to the family.”

According to Tucker, Hanna came from a failed attempt to sidestep a ‘no pet’ rule at her owner’s apartment complex and Howie came from an ‘accidental’ litter with an owner worried that good homes would not be found for the puppies. The Tuckers also foster a two-year-old Boxer named Declan who is heartworm positive.

“He was picked up as a stray by animal control in a small town in TX,” Tucker said. “The owner did step forward but decided not to claim him when they learned they had to pay a fine. NPBR was contacted by a family in MN (who was alerted by her family in TX) that this boy needed rescue. Her friend drove Declan the miles to be a NPBR boy. He is presently being treated for heartworm disease. The treatment is expensive and painful. Had he been given heartworm preventative (at the mere cost of $9.00) a month, he would not have to endure this process. Adoption fees rarely cover the cost of vetting. Tax-deductible donations and fundraising is what allows NPBR to continue to save boxers in need.”

It’s well-rewarding as Bijou’s foster family has found, though they have faced challenges in fostering her.

“But she is also an incredibly sweet old girl with an amazing, warm smile, who loves to be near you and give kisses,” they wrote. “She’s learning how awesome toys can be. She’s learning how comfortable a pillow can be. With as horrible of a background as she came from, she still has so much of that wonderful boxer personality that I have come to love and treasure. Just because she had a rough start to life doesn’t mean she can’t have a wonderful rest of her life. Every day that goes by more of her personality starts to shine through.”

For more information visit http://www.everyboxercounts.com or the NPBR Facebook page.