"Sota" Our beloved Chocolate Labrador Retriever died on Nov. 13, 2005, after a courageous six-month battle with cancer. He was 11. The photo at left was taken just a couple of months before he died; despite his illness, he was swimming and retrieving like a champion in Bay Lake, MN. Sota was a treasured friend and family member, and we miss his unconditional love and loyalty every day. Archive of Pets