SANSOM PARK — They say cats have nine lives. Well, one boxer has at least three. She was rescued from a puppy mill, but later then stolen and abused. Her return renews hope the other two other stolen boxers may be found alive.

The boxer’s name is Journey, but it's not just her name, it's her life story. "Her legs are malformed from being kept in a cage that was too small for her. She was originally saved from a puppy mill bust," said Kathy Shuve, of Legacy Boxer Rescue.

It's Journey's hind legs that allowed Sansom Animal Control to positively identify her as one of three boxers stolen from their animal shelter, Sansom Park Animal Shelter, last year.

Journey was only there a few days, when she and two other boxers were stolen, possibly for used for breeding, or even worse, pit bull bait.

"It angered me, the condition she was in, that someone would steal this perfectly healthy dog, and put her in this condition," said Christie Compton, Sansom Park Animal Shelter.

Investigators are trying to determine if Journey escaped from home in Sansom Park, of if she was abused elsewhere, and dumped near city hall.

"Dispatch radioed me, that there was an emaciated dog, in the front of the fire department, with it's insides hanging out," said Compton.

Legacy is still offering a $3,000 award for the other two dogs, Sissy and Terra, even though there is a slim possibility they are still alive.

"That's always a possibility, but until we know for sure, we're not going to give up looking. Journey made it out, maybe the other two girls did too," said Kathy Shuve, Legacy Boxer Rescue.

E-mail dmiles@wfaa.com