Killed By Cancer

Today is Murphy's birthday.  

This photo was taken on our walk from Austin to Boston in McEwen  TN.  We pitched a tent the night before on the grounds of a local church and upon remarking to the pastor about the Bradford pear trees full in fall colors, he recommended stopping at a local farm completely encircled by them just east on Hwy 70.  

It was a magical moment that day perfectly captured in time.  

For whatever cruel twist of fate the Gods graced us with we made it the 2,300 miles to Boston but within only a few weeks of walking the final mile from the Rose Garden at Back Bay Fens to Boston Common, Murphy was diagnosed with nasal adenocarcinoma.

The tumor inside his head must have been growing for many months as evidenced by the CT scan nearby.  

Murphy went down hard and what he did for this cause will never be forgotten. #RememberMurphy #MurphySmiles

Cancer Can't Keep a Good Dog Down 2016

Hard to believe it's 8 years in the making since we started the 'Cancer Can't Keep a Good Dog Down' calendar in honor and memory of our canine heroes touched by cancer.  

Damn I remember our first one when I had to carry my 10 pound clunky Dell laptop for miles in my backpack on the C&O trail to upload the photos for the contest cause Erich was still on a 128k modem. Good times...

Unlike cheerleading tryouts in Texas, it's not really a contest - all are beauties and featured in the calender.  Nearby is the link to the blog about how you can participate http://www.2milliondogs.org/our-8th-annual-cancer-cant-keep-a-good-dog-down-canine-cancer-calendar-contest-has-begun/

Thanks Erich for being the Keeper of the Calendar.  

A Journey Without Tears

I can't recall
a love without fear

Nor a journey
without tears

So don't embark
unless you're clear

On all the costs
across the years

Because love etern
bears a price that burns

A flame forever
astem. astern