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.