10/26/2026
⚠️Content warning: This post includes images that may be disturbing.
CINDY LOO: THE SIDE OF RESCUE YOU DON’T ALWAYS SEE
You may have seen the social media posts about the dog who was left tethered outside a building by her owner. What you may not know is that Ottawa Dog Rescue took her into our care and tried to give her a second chance. Her name was Cindy Loo.
She had been taken into care by the SPCA de l’Outaouais. Severely emaciated, weak and becoming increasingly unwell, she needed more medical care than the shelter could provide.
We knew taking her in would mean a significant medical commitment, with no clear diagnosis or guarantee of recovery. The road ahead would be difficult, but we believe that when a dog has been dealt such a terrible hand, they deserve someone to fight for them.
So we took her in. And we fought for her.
Late Wednesday, October 14, Cindy Loo came into Ottawa Dog Rescue’s care and went directly to a local emergency clinic's team.
Over those days, Cindy Loo received a blood transfusion, IV support, extensive monitoring, diagnostic testing, oxygen and carefully managed feeding. Her veterinary team worked to stabilise her blood sugar and electrolytes while investigating why she was so unwell.
Through it all, the updates kept coming back to the same little dog: sweet, gentle, eager to eat and happy to take her little walks. She had brighter moments, and some of her bloodwork improved. We began talking about what she would need in a foster home.
What followed was a roller coaster of hope, fear, and heartbreak. Behind the scenes, there were constant conversations, questions, and decisions. Every change in her condition mattered. Every improvement gave us hope. Every setback brought knots to our stomachs.
Because, when you're in rescue, these aren't just medical cases or names on a list. These are lives. And when you're responsible for a life that is so fragile, you carry the weight of every decision.
Then Cindy Loo developed aspiration pneumonia. She received oxygen support and treatment, and on Sunday evening, an update suggested that her breathing was improving. Just minutes later, another call came. She was crashing, in distress and struggling to breathe.
After days of intensive care and moments of hope, Cindy Loo just couldn’t fight anymore. Her tiny, frail body had endured more than any dog should ever have to.
On Sunday, October 18th, almost one week ago exactly, we made the heartbreaking decision to end her suffering. Our responsibility to her included making the decision we had desperately hoped would never be necessary: recognising that she was telling us it was time, and knowing when to let her go.
We wanted so much more for her. A foster home. Time to recover. The chance to learn what life could feel like when she was safe and well, beyond hospital.
There are no words to describe how difficult it is to go from hoping a dog will pull through to having to accept their fate and they cannot be saved. That we just cannot save them, despite doing everything we think is possible.
We are heartbroken. We are angry that she was left in such a vulnerable condition. And we are grieving the future we hoped she would have.
This is a part of rescue that supporters do not always see. The hope between phone calls. The worry when something changes. The responsibility of making decisions for a dog who cannot tell us what she needs. And the grief when the outcome is not the one everyone worked towards, despite the care, the effort, the hope, the love… we still have to say goodbye.🤍
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to the emergency and hospital care team at one of our local emergency clinics who walked this difficult road alongside us. We are so thankful for their care, communication, compassion and dedication to Cindy Loo, and for guiding us through those difficult days. Knowing she was loved and cared for with such compassion by the staff during her final days is something we will always hold onto.
Thank you to the SPCA de l’Outaouais and our rescue contacts for reaching out and working with us to give her a chance. It truly takes a village.
Cindy Loo’s veterinary bill is just over $10,000. During her medical crisis, our focus was on her comfort, treatment, and giving her every possible chance. Her comfort and care came first.
We cannot change what happened to Cindy Loo before she came to us. We couldn’t give her the ending we wanted. But we made sure she wasn’t facing her final days without people fighting for her.
We’re sharing Cindy Loo’s story, not only because we lost her, or because we need help with her veterinary bill, but because no dog, no animal, should have to endure what she did. We hope to raise awareness about animal welfare and neglect and encourage people to speak up for animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Be a voice for the voiceless.
Although she is gone, the cost of her care remains. If you’d like to help with Cindy Loo’s veterinary expenses, donations are deeply appreciated.
📧 E-transfer: [email protected]
🌐 Online donations:
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/OttawaDogRescue/online_donations.html
📌 The investigation into Cindy Loo’s abandonment is ongoing.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DwRdDcBBE/
If you have information that could help, please contact the SPCA de l’Outaouais directly at [email protected] rather than posting names or speculation in the comments.
Rest peacefully, sweet Cindy Loo. You mattered. You were loved. And you deserved so much more. 💔🌈 🪽
