'Finding my way back for Denver along the Viking Way'

"I was overwhelmed with grief ," recalls Malcolm Buckley. "I even considered ending my own life three times.

"But Denver would not have wanted this and, after nine months when I was literally brought to my knees, I had a compelling need to walk the entirety of the Viking Way."

Malcolm's story of his 170-mile pilgrimage with his dog's treasured collar tucked in his backpack - published in The Viking Way: A Walk for Denver - tells the physical and mental challenge of the gruelling trek through some of the favourite locations they had enjoyed together.

Denver was the first dog that Malcolm, who lives with his wife in Skegness, had ever owned. At the age of 48, he says he suddenly discovered the joy of having a furry companion, whose only ambition in life was to make him happy.

They walked miles together, including along the Sea Bank at Wainfleet, where Denver's ashes now lay.

It was just four weeks before Denver's 10th birthday that he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his front left leg by Kirton vet Stephen Elwood.

The cancer was so aggressive that it took him within five days. "The only treatment other than meds were amputation or chemotherapy - neither were right for Denver," said Malcolm.

Denver was euthanised in Malcolm's arms at home on Sunday morning, June 3, 2018

What happened next was something Malcolm was not prepared for - and there followed "nine months of complicated, unresolved grief".

Then one day Malcolm put his walking boots on again and began to walk the Lincolnshire Wolds once more.

"I signed up to an online challenge to walk 1,000 miles in a year and my pilgrimage along the Viking Way was part of this," said Malcolm.

Malcolm describes Denver as a beautiful, highly intelligent, noble being with a "light sourced in unconditional love".

"Dogs are humans linked to paradise, as they do not know jealousy, discontent, criticism or judgement," said Malcolm.

"Humans, travelling a spiritual pathway, strive for this level of ‘being’ through meditation and spiritual development for years, maybe an entire lifetime, yet Denver came into this life with it intact!

"His gift was to make me laugh when I could barely raise a smile and should he see me laugh and smile, I’d be rewarded by a fast and furious ‘waggy’ tail.

"The more I laughed, the faster he’d wag his tail. Like most dogs Denver wanted to please and he loved it when he knew I was happy.

"When he passed to spirit the grief was overwhelming and for a long time, I was at a loss on how to manage.

"During our time together we had enjoyed many happy walks and some of them were along parts of the Viking Way.

"During the first two years of grief, an urge grew to walk the entire path as a pilgrimage to Denver."

Malcolm's journey took him from the Humber Bridge along the Viking Way, through Lincoln, along the Grantham Canal to South Rutland Water.

It was inevitable the memories would flood back at favourite spots such as Belchford, Scamblesby and Tealby.

However, it was at Walesby in one of the Malcolm's darkest moments, that he finally experienced a breakthrough

Battered by Storm Miguel, Malcolm recalls: "I can remember scrambling through the rucksack to find Denver's collar, the rain sweeping away my tears.

"It was almost as if I knew Denver was looking down at me at where we had sat and shared bacon sandwiches."

This defining moment is captured in an entire chapter in the book - and Malcolm hopes that it will help others who have suffered the loss of a precious pet.

Malcolm says he will never forget Denver - but can now finally enjoy the memories of the treasured moments they shared. Denver's pawprint is not only etched Malcolm's heart forever but also forms a tattoo on his arm.

‘The tattoo always makes me smile but I shall never fully come to terms with Denver’s loss," said Malcolm. "I can, however, now accept that the world for me was a better place with him in it and by my side

"All I want is for Denver's story to be told and a legacy laid down for such a beautiful soul - a tribute that he was here among us for a time."

*The Viking Way: A Walk for Denver was launched on Monday at Amazon, with 50% of all proceeds donated to The Labrador Lifeline Trust in Denver's memory.