For four long years, Albania Sofia Sagarra mourned the loss of her beloved dog, Sugar — a mischievous, free-spirited pup she adopted in 2017. After Sugar disappeared in 2021, Albania believed the unthinkable: that her dog had died. But in a moment that shocked millions online, she was reunited with Sugar in an emotional TikTok that showed her weeping as she clutched the little dog she thought she’d never see again.
“I still can’t believe it,” Albania told PEOPLE. “We were told she was gone for good.”
The now-viral video, captioned “Miracles do happen,” shows Albania collapsing in tears as she embraces Sugar, with her mother by her side, both women overwhelmed by the moment.
Sugar had slipped out of Albania’s sister’s home in Miami during a visit in 2021, sparking a frantic citywide search. The family posted flyers, contacted rescues, and spread the word online. “It was like we’d lost a family member,” Albania said. “Because we had.”
Then came a devastating call: a man claimed he had seen Sugar hit by a car and watched her die. His detailed story convinced the family, even though there was no body. “It was so vivid, we believed him,” Albania recalled. “We had no closure. Just grief.”
Years passed. The pain dulled but never faded.
Then, out of nowhere, Albania received a message from the Los Angeles rescue where she’d first adopted Sugar. The founder, Marianne, had stunning news: Sugar had been found alive at a Florida shelter. “She sent me a photo, and I knew instantly — it was her,” Albania said.
The shelter had already closed for the day, so Albania waited anxiously outside its doors the next morning. What she found broke her heart.
“She was a shell of herself,” she said. “Skin and bones. Blank eyes. She didn’t even recognize me at first.”
Sugar had dropped from 13–14 pounds to just 8. She trembled in Albania’s arms, too weak to stand, too traumatized to understand she was safe. Critics online questioned the shelter’s role, but Albania defended them. “They found her dumped outside,” she explained. “They didn’t know her story.”
What saved Sugar was a microchip Albania had implanted years earlier. “People think it’s GPS, but it’s not. It’s an ID — and it saved her life.”
What it couldn’t reveal was where Sugar had been or what she had endured. The list of medical issues was staggering: kidney disease, heart disease, severe dental decay, and extreme malnutrition. “She’s very, very sick,” Albania said. “We don’t know if she’ll survive.”
To help cover the mounting costs, Albania launched a GoFundMe. Beyond the donations, the outpouring of love from strangers has moved her deeply. “People have sent us tips, advice, prayers,” she said. “They care about her — it’s helped heal something in me.”
Emotionally, Sugar is still recovering. She startles easily, flinches at sudden movements, and panics when left alone. Albania, her mom, and her sister now rotate around-the-clock care. “She can’t be alone — it terrifies her,” Albania said.
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Despite the heartbreak and uncertainty, the family is focused on giving Sugar as much comfort and love as they can. Vet visits, medication trials, and therapy dominate their days. “We’re watching for signs of progress,” Albania said. “If the treatment helps, we keep going. If not… we’ll have to make hard decisions.”
Albania is even planning to meet with an animal communicator. “Call it what you want, but if there’s any way to understand what she’s been through, I’m willing to try.”
She still wonders about the man who falsely told her Sugar had died. “He never called again. No name. Just a story that stole four years.”
Now that Sugar is home, their journey isn’t over — it’s just a different kind of fight. “We missed four years,” Albania said. “But we have today. And we’re going to make it count.”
The bond between them, though battered by time and trauma, is stronger than ever. “Sugar is living proof that miracles can happen,” she said. “Even when you think all hope is lost. Your pets never stop loving you. They’re waiting — no matter how long it takes.”
