Malcolm Buckley's Blog
January 10, 2023
The Viking Way A Walk for Denver
When Denver - a devoted, nine-year-old Chocolate Labrador - died, little did his devastated owner know there would be one more emotional journey for them to share.
"I was overwhelmed with grief," recalls Malcolm Buckley. "I even considered ending my own life in the nine months following Denver’s loss.
"But Denver would not have wanted this, I was literally brought to my knees, then I had a compelling need to walk the entirety of the Viking Way."
Malcolm's story of his 12 day, 165 mile pilgrimage with his dog's treasured collar tucked in his backpack - published in The Viking Way: A Walk for Denver – tells of the physical, emotional and mental challenge of the grueling trek through some of the favorite locations they had enjoyed together.
Denver was the first dog, Malcolm who lives with his wife in Skegness, had ever owned. At the age of 48, he says he 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, & through the majestic Lincolnshire Wolds.
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, were amputation or chemotherapy - neither were right for Denver.
Denver was euthanized 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 in the beautiful 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.
"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 all 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 just 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, it actually became life threatening for me.
"During our time together we had enjoyed many happy walks and some of them were along parts of the Viking Way that trailed through my home County of Lincolnshire.
"During the first year 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 Rutland Water, and into Oakham in Rutland.
It was inevitable the memories would flood back at favorite 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 my backpack to find Denver's collar, the rain sweeping away my tears.
"It was as if I knew Denver was right beside 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 devastating 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 paw-print is not only etched into Malcolm's heart forever but also forms a tattoo on his arm.
‘The tattoo always makes me smile, though I shall never fully come to terms with Denver’s loss,"." I can, however, now accept that the world for me was a better place with him in it and by my side. He was such a wonderful ambassador for his kind.
"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 Amazon, at £6.99, with 100% of all proceeds donated to The Labrador Lifeline Trust in Denver's memory.
Donated by Malcolm, the Labrador Trust’s online store at their website have signed copies at £6.99 postage free (Worldwide), again ALL proceeds going towards the Labradors in their care.
At the end of 2021, Denver had raised nearly two thousand pounds for LLT.
Due to the kindness of a landowner who read the book, and had lost her own Labrador, a field the Viking Way crosses in Long Bennington has been named ‘Denver’s Field’ and is included in the official online Guidebook in Section 11. A plaque commemorates this on site.
Denver & Malcolm’s ashes will be laid together at this field in the fullness of time.
Malcolm has placed more than 25 books into Lincolnshire Libraries across the County, and will expand on these into 2022 and beyond.
Copies are available at the Rutland County Museum & Oakham Castle visitor shops, with a donation made to The Labrador Lifeline Trust in Denver’s name.
Oakham Library, which is the official finish point of The Viking Way long distance trail, holds a couple of copies for loan.
The finisher’s book for those that have walked the Viking Way is also held in the Library at Oakham, Malcolm signed this beautiful book June 14th 2019 on behalf of Denver & himself.
"I was overwhelmed with grief," recalls Malcolm Buckley. "I even considered ending my own life in the nine months following Denver’s loss.
"But Denver would not have wanted this, I was literally brought to my knees, then I had a compelling need to walk the entirety of the Viking Way."
Malcolm's story of his 12 day, 165 mile pilgrimage with his dog's treasured collar tucked in his backpack - published in The Viking Way: A Walk for Denver – tells of the physical, emotional and mental challenge of the grueling trek through some of the favorite locations they had enjoyed together.
Denver was the first dog, Malcolm who lives with his wife in Skegness, had ever owned. At the age of 48, he says he 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, & through the majestic Lincolnshire Wolds.
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, were amputation or chemotherapy - neither were right for Denver.
Denver was euthanized 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 in the beautiful 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.
"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 all 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 just 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, it actually became life threatening for me.
"During our time together we had enjoyed many happy walks and some of them were along parts of the Viking Way that trailed through my home County of Lincolnshire.
"During the first year 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 Rutland Water, and into Oakham in Rutland.
It was inevitable the memories would flood back at favorite 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 my backpack to find Denver's collar, the rain sweeping away my tears.
"It was as if I knew Denver was right beside 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 devastating 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 paw-print is not only etched into Malcolm's heart forever but also forms a tattoo on his arm.
‘The tattoo always makes me smile, though I shall never fully come to terms with Denver’s loss,"." I can, however, now accept that the world for me was a better place with him in it and by my side. He was such a wonderful ambassador for his kind.
"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 Amazon, at £6.99, with 100% of all proceeds donated to The Labrador Lifeline Trust in Denver's memory.
Donated by Malcolm, the Labrador Trust’s online store at their website have signed copies at £6.99 postage free (Worldwide), again ALL proceeds going towards the Labradors in their care.
At the end of 2021, Denver had raised nearly two thousand pounds for LLT.
Due to the kindness of a landowner who read the book, and had lost her own Labrador, a field the Viking Way crosses in Long Bennington has been named ‘Denver’s Field’ and is included in the official online Guidebook in Section 11. A plaque commemorates this on site.
Denver & Malcolm’s ashes will be laid together at this field in the fullness of time.
Malcolm has placed more than 25 books into Lincolnshire Libraries across the County, and will expand on these into 2022 and beyond.
Copies are available at the Rutland County Museum & Oakham Castle visitor shops, with a donation made to The Labrador Lifeline Trust in Denver’s name.
Oakham Library, which is the official finish point of The Viking Way long distance trail, holds a couple of copies for loan.
The finisher’s book for those that have walked the Viking Way is also held in the Library at Oakham, Malcolm signed this beautiful book June 14th 2019 on behalf of Denver & himself.
Website Testimonial
"An extraordinary story of deep love and devotion between a man and his chocolate Labrador, named Denver. The author experienced the lengths and depths of undying love, but sadly was plummeted to the depths of despair at Denver's sudden passing. At the peak of sadness Buckley found new purpose when he began a perilous pilgrimage driven by love to honor Denver's memory. During the twelve day trip on the Viking way Malcolm Buckley encountered daunting circumstances, fierce winds, pounding rain, loneliness, and confronted by attack dogs and an angry bull! Yet, he found the strength within to finish the journey which he began. I hope to read more of his work, and am so happy to hear of this book - a story I highly recommend"
Website Testimonial
'Denver lives on…not only in Malcolm’s heart, but in the words now created for all to share in the gift Denver left to this world'
March 29, 2022
https://www.denverbuckley.com/book-re...
Some beautiful, heart warming Testimonials from my website page. My grateful thanks to everyone that added their thoughts of The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver'. x
September 1, 2021
The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver'
Jan Bodner
I was thrilled to write a 5 star review---(would do again if only I could) But at least here I can say for others---This is an extraordinary true story of the most remarkable love between man and his beloved chocolate lab named Denver. Through the reading, I could feel the heart of Malcolm and understand how very special Denver was. I know he will continue to live on in the hearts of all who came to love him--albeit may any of us be fortunate to know or have known such incredible and undying love ..... If you have not read--I endorse, having read it, and still have it in view so I will never forget. I only hope many more will read this book. Most sincerely--JB
I was thrilled to write a 5 star review---(would do again if only I could) But at least here I can say for others---This is an extraordinary true story of the most remarkable love between man and his beloved chocolate lab named Denver. Through the reading, I could feel the heart of Malcolm and understand how very special Denver was. I know he will continue to live on in the hearts of all who came to love him--albeit may any of us be fortunate to know or have known such incredible and undying love ..... If you have not read--I endorse, having read it, and still have it in view so I will never forget. I only hope many more will read this book. Most sincerely--JB
May 14, 2021
The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver'
The following Lincolnshire Libraries now have copies of The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver' for loan on request, in 'Travel & Tourism'.
Boston Library
Caistor Library
Gainsborough Library
Grantham Library
Horncastle Library
Lincoln Central Library
Louth Library
Rural North Lincolnshire Mobile Library
Skegness Library
Sleaford Library
Spalding Library
Stamford Library
Waddington Library
Alford Library
Bracebridge Heath Community Library
Cherry Willingham Community Library
Mablethorpe Library
Market Rasen Library
Spilsby Library
Wainfleet Library
Boston Library
Caistor Library
Gainsborough Library
Grantham Library
Horncastle Library
Lincoln Central Library
Louth Library
Rural North Lincolnshire Mobile Library
Skegness Library
Sleaford Library
Spalding Library
Stamford Library
Waddington Library
Alford Library
Bracebridge Heath Community Library
Cherry Willingham Community Library
Mablethorpe Library
Market Rasen Library
Spilsby Library
Wainfleet Library
The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver'
A lovely email from Oakham Library in Rutland, the official finish of The Viking Way Long Distance Footpath.
'We do have a catalogue record and the Book itself will obviously be available and visible in the library. We also regularly do dedicated displays for local interest items and books by local authors.
Oakham Library staff are aware of The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver' as we get quite a bit of interest in animal- and dog-related stories and biographies etc. so although this is local interest it is placed in the main Library collection rather than on the local studies shelves to get the widest possible audience. Your book has been catalogued, and plenty of access-points added for it to come up on searches, not all of these display on the online version of the catalogue, but they are there ‘behind the scenes’. We have two loan copies of The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver' as I’m expecting this to get some interest and be borrowed. We’ll be opening for browsing again from next week, so I’m pretty positive about it being found.'
My personal thanks to Emily Barwell of Oakham Library.
'We do have a catalogue record and the Book itself will obviously be available and visible in the library. We also regularly do dedicated displays for local interest items and books by local authors.
Oakham Library staff are aware of The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver' as we get quite a bit of interest in animal- and dog-related stories and biographies etc. so although this is local interest it is placed in the main Library collection rather than on the local studies shelves to get the widest possible audience. Your book has been catalogued, and plenty of access-points added for it to come up on searches, not all of these display on the online version of the catalogue, but they are there ‘behind the scenes’. We have two loan copies of The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver' as I’m expecting this to get some interest and be borrowed. We’ll be opening for browsing again from next week, so I’m pretty positive about it being found.'
My personal thanks to Emily Barwell of Oakham Library.
April 29, 2021
The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver'
Excited to announce that my book, The Viking Way 'A Walk for Denver' is to be placed in 20 Lincolnshire Libraries.
The Viking Way official Trail end is at Oakham Library in the County of Rutland 150 miles from it's start at The Humber Bridge.
Oakham Library also houses the 'finisher's book' for those that complete the Viking Way Trail.
They have confirmed a copy of my book is now in the Library to loan, and another copy is held in the Rutland County Museum.
A wonderful tribute to my beautiful Chocolate Labrador 'Denver'.
In Denver's memory, 100% of all proceeds from sales go to The Labrador Lifeline Trust to help other Labradors in their care.
The Viking Way official Trail end is at Oakham Library in the County of Rutland 150 miles from it's start at The Humber Bridge.
Oakham Library also houses the 'finisher's book' for those that complete the Viking Way Trail.
They have confirmed a copy of my book is now in the Library to loan, and another copy is held in the Rutland County Museum.
A wonderful tribute to my beautiful Chocolate Labrador 'Denver'.
In Denver's memory, 100% of all proceeds from sales go to The Labrador Lifeline Trust to help other Labradors in their care.
March 31, 2021
Did you know that Oakham Library is the end of The Viking Way. ?
Well done to Malcolm Buckley who finished the trail in 2019. This is an epic walk taking in the beauties of Lincolnshire & Rutland from Barton on Humber to Oakham - nearly 150 miles.
Rutland Libraries has a leather-bound Yggdrasil 'Book of Fame.
Malcolm signed the book at the end of 165 miles after 12 consecutive days walking, owing to enforced detours, wrong turns & accommodation being off the trail.
Malcolm has written a book of his walk, The Viking Way ‘A Walk for Denver’ available on Amazon in Paperback or E-book/Kindle version
If you are completing the Viking Way, let us know and ask for the Finisher's Book at Oakham Library staff desk.
Rutland Libraries has a leather-bound Yggdrasil 'Book of Fame.
Malcolm signed the book at the end of 165 miles after 12 consecutive days walking, owing to enforced detours, wrong turns & accommodation being off the trail.
Malcolm has written a book of his walk, The Viking Way ‘A Walk for Denver’ available on Amazon in Paperback or E-book/Kindle version
If you are completing the Viking Way, let us know and ask for the Finisher's Book at Oakham Library staff desk.
March 21, 2021
A Robin's spiritual symbolism
A message indeed from one of Nature's most beautiful messengers. Throughout the entirety of my book The Viking Way ' A Walk for Denver' I speak of how birds were my guides, my helpers, my companions. Denver's spirit was around me every day in the warnings I received from Robins & Blackbirds. Pigeons and Pheasants became guides on the path. Pigeons of course with their 'homing' skills. But the one element in this beautiful video that transcends it onto a high spiritual level are the words I closed my book with....."we are never alone".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0OlS...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0OlS...
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