More: Darby was a love bug. The sweetest, most loving, patient, Golden Retriever ever. She loved hugs, tummy rubs, and snow. She never showed her illness until days before she died. Even then, she never complained. Unfortunately, she succumbed to Hemangiosarcoma at the age of 9. Our daughter who is in college at the University of Washington, is in the bio medical program there studying to be an animal researcher, in hopes one day to find a cure for such awful animal diseases. Since Darby has passed, we brought another “mostly “ Golden into our lives. Although no dog could ever replace her, having another goofball Golden to love, makes the heartache a little less painful. She will always be with us though through pictures, artwork, and all of our wonderful memories of her.