Hard Knocks Rescue and Training
Hard Knocks' Rainbow Bridge
#DoingWhatsRightNotWhatsEasy isn't all sunshine and rainbows.
In rescue, there are certain dogs that come into your life that are so desperately in need of kindness and understanding. The world has just been too hard on them, they aren't quite sure how to be loved. Others come to us so severely ill that no matter the amount of tests, surgeries, medications we throw at them, they have lived out their life. Our job as a rescue is to ensure these souls are allowed to cross over the rainbow bridge as peacefully and full of love as we can. This is the absolute hardest part of rescue, and never taken lightly. These pups are thought of and missed every single day. This is why we do what we do. These dogs are why we continue to advocate for underdogs. Their death was not in vain. They left this life knowing love.
Their Stories
In a perfect world, euthanasia would be non-existent. There would be the perfect number of loving homes for each individual dog. Sadly, that is not the world we live in. There are thousands of shelters and rescues all across the nation, however, sometimes the desire to help is not enough. At Hard Knocks Rescue and Training, we believe in quality of life for each and every one of our dogs. Our numbers may not reflect 'no kill' status all of the time. Our intake process alone sets us apart from many other rescues. We pull the dogs that are overlooked by rescues, adopters, and fosters. We pull the dogs that are shut down and unable to handle the basic needs of every day life (i.e. food, water, shelter).
One important thing we ask ourselves before pulling a long time shelter resident is, can we provide a better quality of life for this dog. Will this dog benefit from what we have to offer them? A lot of these dogs we get are on a euthanasia list, no one else has the time or resources to give them a chance at life. Because of this, not all of our dogs move out of our program, but instead end their lives with a forever home with Hard Knocks. Each and every one of these dogs were loved so very deeply. We wanted to honor their stories by remembering the lesson each taught us. Our job is to provide the basic essentials of life consistently enough that each dog has a choice to continue. We set them up for success the best we can, but it ultimately is up to each and every dog whether or not they want to co-exist in a peaceful, pleasant way. Its very difficult when the rescuer wants it to be more than the rescued does. That is one of the hardest lessons learned throughout this whole process.
We strive to provide the best care for the life of each animal we bring into our rescue. If we see them to the end, then we will do just that. Each dog has been surrounded by love and care til the last breath. Please join us in remembering these lost souls who have found their home with Hard Knocks and have crossed that rainbow bridge.
