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.

Today would have marked the 1 year anniversary of Newton's amputation. Wow, I can't believe how quickly time flies. While I wish that Newton would have been able to celebrate his ampiversary milestone with me, I feel very lucky to have gotten to spend as much time with him as I was able to. He has inspired many.

I will never forget how happy I was to hear Newton hoping down the hall 24 hours after his surgery. I was so happy to see him and he was so ready to go home. His strength is an example to us all.

I miss you baby boy!

Today I was missing Newton a lot so I called up Mary, Newton's breeder, to see if I could go over to her house. She had one puppy left from her last litter so I wanted to get my puppy fix in and to see Newton's mom.

For being 7 years old, Kailie has the spunkyness of a puppy. When I got there, she was running figure 8's in the backyard. When Newton's litter was born, I was at Mary's house twice a week visiting the puppies, so Kailie got to know me very well. After seeing how much energy Kailie had, I know who Newton got it from. I use to always say that Newton was a Lab trapped in a Mastiff body because of all of the energy he had. So much for the couch potato.

I never knew how many of Kailie's traits Newton had until today. When I looked at Kailie's face, I saw a lot of the characteristics Newton inherited. He also got many of her mannerisms. It made me feel really good and I am glad that I went over to Mary's house. It is exactly what I needed.

Today my friend, Laura, and I headed up to Estes Park for the K9K Walk to Cure Canine Cancer. Since Newton's journey of healing and discovery came to a close, I felt that it was an important event to attend. I was glad that Laura was willing to go with me. Thank you Laura!

Since my back was killing me (a few ribs decided that they wanted to pop out of place), I didn't really feel like walking. We had an opportunity to visit the Bone Cancer Dogs booth and meet up with all of our friends from the yahoo group (Cindy, Wanda, Marc, Karen, Adrian, Stephanie, and Stephanie's mom) and some new friends. Stephanie even made me the most precious bandanna in honor of Newton. After Laura and I went through the booths and got our picture taken with a poster board of Gibson, the world's tallest dog, we headed to the park to get some pictures of the Elk prior to heading back to Denver.

We decided to stop for lunch at my favorite grilled cheese place, Southern Sun. Oh yeah, they have some really tasty beer too :-) Outside of my back killing me, it was a beautiful day and I am glad I went up to Estes.

Today would have marked the 1 year anniversary of when Newton had his first Oncology visit at CSU. While I am doing a lot better than I would have thought, my heart still hurts badly. I'm trying to rejoice in Newton's life verses grieve in his passing...although sometimes that feels like it is easier said than done.

On the Bone Cancer Yahoo group that I am a member of, folks always talk about "Pennies from Heaven". When I came across the poem, I can't help buy smile.

It is called "Pennies from Heaven" by Charles Mashburn.

Last night I got a call from Rainbow Bridge Pet Crematorium. They just wanted to let me know that the picked up Newton. I had CSU do an autopsy so that we could find out a little bit more about how much his cancer had spread, so that the vet students at CSU could have the opportunity to work on a larger dog, and so that some of his tissue could be added to the tissue bank for future research.

I also received Newton's paw print today. The Argus Institute is an amazing group of people who have helped me get through a lot. Thank you to everybody up at CSU!

Newtie...I miss you and love you very much!!!!