A local animal shelter is hoping residents can learn from a touching, yet sad story.

Since late January, the Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation has been sharing the story of an emaciated dog that was taken into their care.

The dog's owner had been living with brain cancer for some time, and when the cancer worsened, they were unable to care for the animal.

Their neighbours weren't aware of this for several months and after the dog's owner was finally taken into care, the neighbours discovered the dog while gathering clothes and other provisions for the owner.

The dog was found to be severely malnourished, with bloodwork revealing several medical conditions, including cancer, putting the dog's life in jeopardy.

Heaven Can Wait's founder Kim Hessel documented the dog's progress over several Facebook posts, which garnered massive support from the community.

Unfortunately, a second blood test from early February showed that the cancer had taken hold, and she was put down.

In her initial post about the dog, Hessel explained this was one of several such cases she's encountered.

"One young woman had mental health issues and simply forgot to feed her cat, who was near death when the landlord happened by. Another elderly man was living in a mouse-infested unit, unable to care for himself or the environment, nor his two dogs who were covered in mouse urine and fecal material, both with untreated medical conditions."

She says these cases are examples of how neglect isn't always the result of malicious pet owners, and that animals can fall through the cracks just like people can.

Hessel says it was because of that intervention that the dog spent her last few days warm, well-fed, and among friends.

"Sometimes, especially with COVID, people have been so hesitant to put themselves out there. It takes courage sometimes to go up to somebody's home, knock on their door, and say 'hi, how are you doing? Can I come in for tea?' Just building a relationship and let them know 'hey, we're here.'"

She hopes the story inspires others to form those kinds of relationships with their neighbours, check in regularly, and not forget about pets if an emergency does happen.

"Is home care aware that something is going on, if home care is even set up? How do they call? Who can they call? That's where, I think, they need to reach out to animal welfare groups, the Calgary Humane Society if you're in the city. There are options, people just need to start looking around to see what they are, depending on what the scenario is."

With regard to this unfortunate case, Hessel was glad to have offered comfort to the dog, despite the ultimate outcome.

"I was just so grateful that the neighbours did call me on this one that that we tried, evaluated what was going on, learned what was going on, and made the compassionate and logical choice for this dog's sake."

In her final post about the dog, Hessel shared that the dog's owner passed away in hospice just days before she did.

She hopes to spread the dog's ashes in Heaven Can Wait's memorial garden.