It has taken me over a year to be able to write this. We lost our beautiful, sweet Muddy in December of 2017 at eleven years old. He contracted a rare form of bladder cancer that only develops in 3% of the total canine population. It is supposedly caused by exposure to chemicals, but we have all lived together and drunk the same water for his whole life. Just rotten luck I guess, but that does not make it hurt any less.

Muddy was my second "once in a lifetime" dog. The first was his grandmother, Scarlett. They were both the epitomy of what a Labrador should be--beautiful, sweet, smart, affectionate, wonderful retrievers, eager to please and friend to all.

We see little bits of Muddy in his kids, Pitch, Fancy, John Lee and Lotto. That and all of our wonderful memories will keep Muddy with us.

Muddy at 6 years old. He has a lovely caramel eye and dark chocolate coat