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One of the greatest Olympians ever in the swimming world, Michael Phelps, is a proven dog lover. Taking retirement in 2016, he has exclusively shifted his attention to his family, not to miss his pet dogs with whom he makes appearances frequently on his social media. The recent death of his beloved dog Legend, owing to a tumor in his head, has caused an irreplaceable loss in the Phelps family.

Fans and friends equally have offered emotional support to the Phelps family during this time. Amid this, they received a heartfelt gesture from Perkie Prints. The token of love is adorable and reminiscent of Legend, as his wife Nicole Phelps expresses gratitude.

Phelps family is “proudly pet obsessed”

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Michael Phelps took to his Instagram handle to reshare the story posted by his wife, Nicole. It is a snap of Michael donning a customized sweatshirt, with a picture of his dog duo, Onyx and Legend. The custom print was a heartwarming gift from Perkie Prints which specialises in personalised pet portraits. The story caption reads, “Beyond grateful, @perkieprints had made @m_phelps00 & I these sweatshirts earlier this year.” It also acknowledges how much Nicole Phelps is moved by this gesture, writing, “Makes me smile everytime I see it.”

The beautiful image of Onyx and Legend is followed by the phrase, “Proudly Pet Obsessed.” Phelps family adopted Onyx in 2021, welcoming the dog to the family during Christmas. Legend was always a special part of their family. While swimming for recreation, Phelps mentioned Legend’s inclination towards the pool. He remarked, “Legend [was] always in and out of the pool, wanting to play. French Bulldogs aren’t really known for their swimming abilities, so while he doesn’t care to swim laps, he does love to run around and play in the shallow area.”

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Michael Phelps mentions positive influence of adopting dogs

In an interview, a few years ago, Michael Phelps had talked about his admiration towards dogs. He mentioned, “I’ve been a huge dog lover as long as I can remember. Dogs never disappoint and always help me keep things in perspective.” He further elaborated, that they have taught him how to appreciate the things that matter most and to not sweat the small stuff.

Read More: “Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy”: Michael Phelps’ Wife Mourns Death of Their Furry Baby After Tumor Battle

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Besides Onyx and Legend, the Phelps family have welcomed multiple dogs at different junctures of their lives, namely Stella, Juno, and Herman. They have always taken solace in their companionship, and selfless love.

WATCH THIS STORY: Rare Image Shows Swimming Legend Michael Phelps’ Real Father