05/11/2026
Sam had a beautiful life, Joanne made sure of it.
They were the very best of friends for years. When my neighbor, Joanne, shared that her sweet dog Sam was having more issues with his kidneys, I asked if we could go for a little walk and take some portraits. I just wanted to capture what they already did every day. I wanted her to be able see how beautiful they were. I wanted her to be able to see what I see, how they enjoyed their evening walks together, so she could hold on to the portraits once he was gone. Joanneās only request was to ask if I could capture her and Sam at home in their matching pjās for what we knew would be their last Christmas together. Thatās the last picture in this album. I jumped at the chance for that too, because how cute!
I think we both cried on and off for the whole afternoon, how could you not? Sam was as happy and patient as ever, a true gentleman, even though his body was failing him. We took it slow, he did everything I asked and loved on his mom every chance he got. He was the best dog. And so very handsome.
Sam meant the world to her and Joanne meant the world to him. I hope heās laying in the biggest garden in the sky, next to the tulipsā¦ and probably not far from Joanneās dear husband, Dave. See, Joanne unexpectedly lost Dave too, just over a year before Sam went to be with him.
Her world is so different without the men she loved for every moment they were here. But she is doing it. She hangs her laundry on the line most days and cares for her beautiful gardens as always. Through it all, her grief is with her. She is honest about it, she looks it in the eye every day and I appreciate that.
Grief is so hard. We cannot replace who she has lost, we can only honor her loveš·š¾ā„ļø
