About Rufus & Red

It all started when...

Jane and I went on holiday and saw an 8 week old boxer puppy who was being stubborn on her first walk.  We had talked about getting a dog after a sad year before, but could not decide on a breed.  As soon as we saw this dog, we knew that a boxer was for us.  We came home and started the search for our puppy and in April 2003, we met Rufus, a 6 week old beautiful boxer. 

When we brought Rufus home, we instantly fell in love. We couldn't imagine life before this bouncy boy, full of fun and happiness. Although, he did chew a few bannister poles!

A year later, I convinced my wife to get Rufus a friend. My wife insisted on another boy, one just like Rufus. We contacted the same breeder who was expecting a litter but when the puppies were born, they were girls! We decided to visit these puppies at 2 weeks old, and again, fell in love. We chose Red, whose grandad Yabba, was Rufus' dad.

When Rufus met Red, it was magic. Red thought Rufus was wonderful and became his shadow. A perfect match - Mr Rufus & Reddy Rhubarb. Red did not get on so well with our broadband wire!

We enjoyed 8 lovely years with Rufus & Red, where our holidays turned to beach trips with the dogs. They were our world. Sadly, Red died in May 2012 at the age of 8 due to a heart condition.

So, what do my wife & I do during bereavement, we get another dog! But we wanted another girl, one to re-home, but the group we are members of didn't really have any suitable for Mr Rufus. However, there was Chelsea & Bailey, sisters. I thought, we could have three? Rufus met Chelsea Flower & Bailey Bear, aged 5, and he said yes!

We ended one era and started a new. We moved to the Kent coast, only 18 houses from the beach!  The dogs were very happy.

Then came Christmas 2014 and we ended up re-homing another, Milly. Well, what can we say, totally bonkers and with a tail! Milly Moon is larger than life, the largest dog we've ever had, and with the longest tongue.

Sadly, a few months later in March 2015, Mr Rufus became poorly and died aged 12. Life carried on, despite our hearts being in pieces again, but the girls made us laugh every day.

In April 2017, we suddenly lost Bailey Bear too, aged 10, due to a brain tumour.  Having dogs is heart breaking stuff. However, we have many wonderful memories, and lots of video footage and photos to keep their memories alive.

Milly Moon and Chelsea Flower keep us busy and my wife and I will continue to re-home boxer dogs. For now, we're happy with two, but watch this space.......

Sadly, in May 2019, our beloved Milly Moon died of kidney disease, which we managed for 4 1/2 years. This is a great loss, leaving Chelsea Flower, aged 12, as an only doggy for the first time in her life. Naturally, we are grieving, with broken hearts, but there will be some exciting news soon.

A few weeks later…..Leo is here! Our new boxer boy who is utterly adorable. Leo doesn’t have Milly’s stamina but he loves to play with people and doggies. He loves to sing, especially to the ice cream van. We dearly miss Milly, however Leo is helping us through & Chelsea Flower is loving having a brother.

With great sadness & broken hearts again, we had to say goodbye to Chelsea Flower on 30th December 2019. Forever in our hearts. Feeling lost without her. Thank goodness for lovely Leo.

February 2020: what a month! Leo Lala’s had emergency surgery to remove his spleen & mass. Thankfully, he’s recovered very well. At the same time, we rehomed little Miss Pickle! A two year old boxer girl, whose terribly tiny and has had puppies! Thankfully, she was rescued by the amazing team at Saving Balkan Boxers. Pickle has never lived in a home but 2.5 weeks in, she has adapted very well.

July 2020: Covid has consumed all of us & many lives changed. We have been lucky with some fantastic customers, plus the eventual arrival of Pebbles, Pickles’ daughter. After 4 weeks, Pebbles certainly feels at home, with her confidence building, although the outside world is still very overwhelming.

We’ve also decided to adopt Pickle’s other puppy Poppy, who should be here soon. The last few months has been tough for all and it’s wonderful that happiness can still be found with another four legged friend.

All paws crossed here for a safe & happy post covid world.

Poppy is here! She is wonderful, much like her mum and sister.