In the fall of 2003, we lost both our black labs within 10 days of each other. They were both nearly 14. The female died in her sleep one afternoon and we were forced to put down the male after a lengthy and heart wrenching battle with cancer. Although we still had 5 other dogs to love, our hearts ached. I didn't want a replacement for the black male I lost to cancer so I decided a chocolate lab would be best. (And, anyway, black dogs are so difficult to photograph.) Alas, when I found a chocolate puppy waiting for adoption, I saw that he had a black brother needing a home too. One Saturday morning I drove 4 hours one-way to the shelter to pick up the BLACK one, and then 4 hours back. Although I named my new puppy Coal, I had a hard time breaking the habit of calling him Shadow, the previous lab's name. They are very different in personality but I have never regretted adopting him. He's a big "chicken" - not at all like my other male, and the biggest "momma's boy" you could ever imagine! All our dogs have come from shelters. We will not pay a breeder, as we've always been able to find the breed we want just waiting in a cage somewhere waiting to be adopted.
Laura ZHillsboro, IL
