Dogs & Rescue

Please Adopt, Don’t Shop

Helping rescue dogs find the homes, love, and second chances they deserve.

MARIA’S HEART FOR RESCUE

Rescue is personal to me.

I have four to six dogs with me at any given time because keeping pups out of shelters is something I care deeply about.

Shelters across Michigan are overcrowded, and so many incredible dogs are waiting for a safe home, a foster family, or simply someone willing to give them a second chance.

If you have room in your heart and home, please consider adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donating.

Meet Xander 🐾

Xander came into my life through Big Fluffy Dog Rescue, and from the moment he arrived, he never looked back.

If you asked Xander who he is, he'd probably tell you he's part king, part czar, and part James Bond. He proudly patrols the yard, keeps a watchful eye on every squirrel and turkey, and carries himself like he owns the place. Truth be told... he probably does.

Since joining the family, Xander has become a daily reminder of why rescue matters. He brings laughter, personality, and just enough mischief to keep life interesting. Whether he's supervising yard work or demanding attention like royalty, he has a way of making every day a little brighter.

And sometimes... he completely takes over the house.

To me, Xander is proof that rescue dogs are not broken. They're simply waiting for someone to believe in them, love them, and give them the chance they deserve.

Once they do, they'll spend the rest of their lives proving you made the right choice.

Meet Yogi 🐾

A gentle giant who just needed someone to say "yes."

Sometimes the phone rings, and you know a life is about to change.

Yogi's journey began with a call from a woman in Indiana whose health had taken an unexpected turn. She was undergoing kidney dialysis, and despite loving her dogs deeply, she could no longer provide the care they deserved.

Yogi and his best friend, Bear, arrived scared and unsure of what their future would hold. At over 140 pounds, Yogi is every bit the gentle giant that Great Pyrenees are known to be—but it's hard not to wonder what would have happened if no one had stepped in. A dog his size entering a shelter can face incredible challenges.

The before-and-after photos of Yogi tell a story words can't fully capture. They show what happens when someone chooses compassion over convenience and asks, "If not me, then who?"

It's easy to say, "That's not my problem."

But rescue reminds us of something much bigger:

We're all in this life together.

Today, Yogi is safe, loved, and exactly where he belongs. His story is a reminder that sometimes changing one dog's life changes your own as well.

Meet Bear 🐾

Every gentle giant deserves a best friend.

Bear's story is forever connected to Yogi's.

When their owner faced serious health challenges and began kidney dialysis, she made the heartbreaking decision to ask for help. She loved them enough to put their future first, even though it meant saying goodbye.

Bear arrived frightened and uncertain, leaving behind the only home he had ever known. Everything around him was different, but one thing never changed—he had Yogi by his side.

Through every new experience, Bear found comfort in his best friend. Together they slowly learned that they were safe, that kind hands could be trusted again, and that a new chapter was waiting for them.

Bear may not demand the spotlight, but he has a quiet way of touching hearts. His gentle spirit, loyal nature, and calm presence remind us that courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's simply taking one more step forward, even when the future is unknown.

Today, Bear's life is a testament to the power of compassion and second chances.

Because rescue isn't just about saving dogs.

It's about making sure no one has to face life's hardest moments alone.

Meet Callie 🐾

Callie—better known around the house as "Single White Female," "Cocaine Callie," or simply "Loving Callie"—has always been a one-of-a-kind personality.

Her journey began with a phone call from Wisconsin. Her family was being evicted, and without another option, Callie was facing a return to the shelter after already spending time in three different shelters. No dog deserves that.

The trip to meet her took us to the Mackinac Bridge. When Callie arrived, she was hungry, underweight, and unsure of the world around her. She had a wild, almost feral spirit, and it was clear life had been anything but easy.

Today, Callie is still the same energetic, FOMO-filled girl who never wants to miss a thing. She keeps everyone on their toes, has enough personality for three dogs, and somehow manages to be involved in absolutely everything happening around the house.

But beneath all that excitement is a dog who simply wanted a place to belong.

Now she has a family who loves her, a home where she's safe, and a future that no longer includes another shelter.

Callie is proof that even the busiest, craziest, most spirited dogs can become the very best companions when someone gives them a second chance.

Coming Home Soon...

Ollie

Max

Moomer

Pancake

Buttermilk

Michigan Rescue Organizations

Here are a few rescue organizations doing meaningful work for dogs and animals across Metro Detroit and Michigan.

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue

This is where Xander's story begins.

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue is a Tennessee-based nonprofit specializing in rescuing giant and working-breed dogs, including:

Great Pyrenees

Saint Bernards

Newfoundlands

Mixed large-breed dogs

Their mission is to save dogs from euthanasia, provide medical care and rehabilitation, and place them in permanent homes. They operate through a large foster network across multiple states.

All About Animals Rescue

One of Michigan's largest animal welfare organizations.

Focus areas:

Affordable veterinary care

Spay and neuter programs

Pet wellness services

Community cat programs

Pet adoption

Keeping pets in their homes

Their mission centers around preventing pet homelessness before it starts. Since their founding, they have helped hundreds of thousands of animals through veterinary and population-control programs.

Rebel Dogs Detroit

Rebel Dogs is one of the most recognizable rescue organizations in Detroit.

Their mission:

Rescue abandoned and abused dogs

Create a "street-to-home" network

Support struggling pet owners

Operate as a no-kill rescue

They focus heavily on Detroit neighborhoods and helping families keep their pets whenever possible.

Detroit Dog Rescue

Detroit Dog Rescue is widely known as Detroit's first no-kill dog rescue organization.

Their focus includes:

Rescue

Rehabilitation

Adoption

Community education

Medical care for rescued dogs

This organization is deeply connected to the Detroit community and works to reduce homelessness among pets.

Furever Tails Animal Rescue

Furever Tails is a foster-based rescue focused on:

Dog adoptions

Cat adoptions

Foster homes

Rescue transports

Community support

This organization emphasizes finding permanent homes through foster care rather than long-term shelter stays.

Michigan Animal Rescue League

MARL is one of Michigan's oldest no-kill shelters.

Services include:

Dog adoption

Cat adoption

Veterinary services

Community outreach

Foster programs

Volunteer opportunities

MARL has been helping Michigan animals for decades and is highly respected throughout the state.

Rescue is deeply personal to me. Whether it's adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, these organizations are making a real difference for animals every day. If you're considering adding a pet to your family, please consider adoption first.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Not ready to adopt? You can still help.

Foster

Give a dog a temporary safe place while they wait for their forever home.

Donate

Support food, shelter, medical care, and rescue transport.

Volunteer

Help with events, walks, transport, admin, and shelter support.

Share

Sometimes one shared post is what helps a dog get adopted.

A home changes everything

Whether it is a first home, a forever home, or a safe place for a rescue dog to land — home matters.

Maria Labie

NMLS #697437

[email protected]

Contact Details

🐾 New Beginnings, Homes & Dog Rescues

A home is more than four walls—it's where memories are made, tails wag, and families grow.

Whether you're searching for your first home, your forever home, or your next investment, I'm here to help you find the right fit for everyone in your family, including the four-legged ones.

© 2026 Maria Labie | NMLS #697437 | All Rights Reserved.