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On the streets of Koh Samui, Thailand, a dog lay motionless near a 7-Eleven—day after day, in the same exact spot. While tourists occasionally stopped to feed her, no one realized just how serious her condition was. That is until Lana noticed something that changed everything.
Lana, who lives on the island and works as a personal trainer, first spotted the dog outside the convenience store and was struck by her lifeless demeanor. The dog, later named Cindy, wasn’t just resting—she was unable to get up, weighed down both by physical illness and extreme obesity. It was clear something was terribly wrong.
Lana decided she couldn’t walk away. After rescuing Cindy from the street, she took her straight to the vet, where the team discovered that Cindy was suffering from a thyroid condition. This had contributed heavily to her weight gain—she weighed in at a staggering 45 kilos (nearly 100 pounds) when first rescued.
Cindy was then taken to a sanctuary, where she spent six months starting her road to recovery. Lana began working closely with her, incorporating gentle walks and personalized care into Cindy’s daily routine. As a fitness expert, Lana applied her skills to help Cindy build strength—one step at a time.
“When she first started, she could barely manage 30 steps,” Lana told GeoBeats in the video below. But slowly, Cindy progressed. Her weight dropped, and her energy increased. Eventually, she was able to walk three kilometers—a remarkable achievement for a dog once too weak to stand. As her transformation continued, Lana decided to bring her home permanently.
Over time, Cindy’s weight dropped to 28 kilos. Her progress was inspiring. But then, in November, her health took a sudden turn. Initially thought to be a thyroid flare-up, further vet visits revealed a devastating diagnosis—lymphoma.
Veterinarians gave her just four weeks to live.
Despite the grim prognosis, Lana wasn’t ready to give up, and neither was Cindy. “She’s battled her whole life on the streets. Let’s do everything we can to give her every fighting chance,” Lana said.
Now, over 21 weeks since her diagnosis, Cindy is still here—defying the odds with her resilient heart and unwavering determination. With regular treatments, love, and unwavering support from Lana, Cindy continues to live each day to the fullest.
“She’s living a good life, and I think she wants to stay here and fight for it,” Lana said.
From being abandoned on the streets to becoming a symbol of strength, Cindy’s journey is a testament to what compassion, care, and a strong will can achieve.
Click play below to see Cindy’s story
