In Loving Memory of Sammy (2009–2026)

Steve San Miguel Zamorano
4 days ago
3 min read

portrait of sammy, labmix dog passed away at age 16 in 2026 was beloved pet of co-owners Steve & Hong, Pet Sitting 4 Comfort

We are heartbroken to share that our beloved lab mix, Sammy, passed away peacefully on January 10.

In her final months, we worked closely with our veterinarian and relied on trusted quality of life resources to support Sammy through age related changes, always prioritizing comfort, dignity, and compassionate care. When her condition worsened suddenly overnight due to respiratory distress, we called ahead to HOPE Advanced Veterinary Center in Vienna, VA. At 3 a.m., we gathered our family, got everyone into the car, and headed there to help her rest. While the decision was incredibly difficult, knowing she was no longer in pain brought comfort.

A Life That Shaped Our Family

Sammy joined our family in 2009 as her third home, shortly after the sudden loss of Steve’s first dog, Dora, a Chinese Shar-Pei. She became a steady source of comfort during a difficult chapter.

When Hong came into our lives in 2014, she became Sammy’s devoted dog mama. From there, Sammy was with us through every major life milestone, including growing our family and building Pet Sitting 4 Comfort® here in Arlington, Virginia.

Lessons from Caring for a Senior Dog

Caring for Sammy through her senior years shaped the specialty care we provide today for senior, medical, and special-needs pets. Her journey deepened our understanding of what aging pets need most:

Patience as routines and abilities change
Consistency to create safety and familiarity
Dignity through gentle, respectful handling
Advocacy through clear communication with veterinarians and families

Supporting families through end-of-life care is something we approach with deep respect, guided by lived experience and professional training.

Being Together Until the End

As Sammy’s health declined, we spoke openly with our children and used trusted pet-loss and quality-of-life resources to help them understand what was happening.

On her final moments at the Hope Center, our family was together until the very end, surrounding Sammy with love. Our children said their goodbyes in their own ways and continue to honor her through shared memories.

Aftercare and Ongoing Support

Before Sammy’s passing, the medical team guided us through aftercare options in advance. Having these conversations ahead of time allowed us to be present without needing to make decisions afterwards.

We chose individual cremation, selected an urn style, and requested memorial keepsakes, including a paw-print clay impression. After her passing, they coordinated her transfer to Agape Pet Services, who handled the remaining aftercare at their facility in Maryland.

Agape provided clear updates throughout the process, including when to expect Sammy’s memorial items, and offered access to 24/7 pet loss grief support for families navigating loss.

Pet Loss and Grief Support for Families

At Pet Sitting 4 Comfort, we have walked alongside many clients through difficult goodbyes. Some of these pets grew up with us, from first visits as puppies or kittens to their final days.

Grief is deeply personal. Families may experience sadness, guilt, confusion, or a sense of emptiness. All of these responses are valid.

Support can take many forms, including allowing yourself time, leaning on trusted people, or creating a small tribute such as lighting a candle, framing a photo, or writing a letter.

We offer a dedicated Pet Loss and Grief Support resource on our website for families seeking guidance and comfort. It includes:

Local support through the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, including donation tributes
National resources such as the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Memorial and keepsake ideas
Guidance for supporting children through pet illness and loss

If your pet was a PS4C client, we are honored to include them in our private memorial archive.

Honoring Sammy and the Pets We’ve Cared For

To honor Sammy, we continue our support of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington through ongoing donations. These gifts recognize Sammy’s life and the many pets and families we have supported through end-of-life care and unexpected goodbyes.

Even with years of professional experience, saying goodbye is never easy. We consider it a privilege to be present for pets and their families at the end.