Today, I was up at Colorado State University with my friend, Laura, whose Mastiff, Chloe, was having some general procedures (teeth cleaning, etc.) done by CSU's community practice. While I was up there, I started to think a lot about Newton. I had CSU do an autopsy on Newton, but up to this point, didn't have the heart to read the autopsy report in great detail. Based on the details in the report and additional clarification from Newton's Oncologist, I found myself in a state of shock.

Newton's Osteosarcoma was in remission. There was no microscopic or gross evidence of Osteosarcoma present. What the autopsy did reveal was primary splenic Hemangiosarcoma with pulmonary metastasis. Leave it to Newton to be unique.

I hope that everybody has a great Thanksgiving. This is the first Thanksgiving that I will be celebrating since I helped Newton to the bridge. It feels very weird. He has always loved turkey. Laura and I decided to go to Los Alamos, NM to visit our friend, Tracy. I'm glad that I will be taking a mini-vacation. I need one! I was debating on whether to bring Newton's ashes with me. I decided that I would have to be strong and leave him at home.

We had the best dinner. It was so yummy. I'm a huge fan of Honey Baked Ham's turkeys. This year we went with the Cajun turkey. The seasonings were amazing. I can't believe how much we ate. I'll be looking forward to our hike tomorrow.

Today, I hung out with Karen and Cindy. We were working on some Bone Cancer Dogs, Inc. stuff. Although we have been brought together by an unfortunately disease, I have made a lot of really good friends from the BoneCancerDogs Yahoo! group, http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/bonecancerdogs/. I is always nice to know that you are not alone and that there are others out there who understand the bond that people form with their pets. Newton is my child.

Each year, the Bone Cancer Dogs groups has a reunion. In 2010, it will be in California. I am looking forward to going to the reunion. I can't wait to meet the many people who have supported me during my journey. We are family!

Today was the Limb Preservation Foundation breakfast. I am glad that I was able to attend. The guest speakers were very inspirational and brought tears of joys to my eyes. Much of the research that they do at CSU's Animal Cancer Center helps in the treatment of humans. I also ran into Hope there. Her Lily is quite the fighter.

I also got to pick up their 2010 calendar. Newton is Mr. October and I must say that he is quite handsome. Personally, I think that he is the best looking one in the calendar :-) but I may be a bit biased.

Today, I went up to CSU with Laura and Chloe. Laura was bringing Chloe up to CSU's community practice for a check-up. This was the first time since I helped Newton to the bridge that I went up to CSU. I wasn't quite sure if I was going to be able to keep it together. On our way up there, we stopped by Rainbow Bridge Pet Crematorium. I had them make a custom memory box for Newton in cherry wood. It was so precious. The memory box has a compartment where I can put Newton's things that are very special to me. I'm so glad that he is coming home. I have missed him.

In Newton and my grand tradition of heading to CSU, it was snowing. I think that it was Newton watching down on us, letting us know that he is there. I saw a couple of our old friends. My heart goes out to anybody who is on a similar journey of healing and discovery.