Walks With Sam is filled with thoughtful observations.
For young children, every moment is a new discovery. When we get to our twenties, we know everything. In out thirties we realize we were wrong! In Walks With Sam, David W. Berner proves that at sixty years old, there is still a whole world left to discover, starting with just a single neighborhood. After losing their aged dogs in death, David and Leslie meet young Sam, a lovable black golden doodle, and are immediately smitten. The short journeys are more than just beautiful bonding moments between man and beast. Frequent walks prove to be fodder for contemplation and reflection as the man and his young dog observe the world around them one step at a time.
Walks With Sam: A Man, a Dog, and a Season of Awakening is truly a breath of fresh air in a world inundated with non-stop distractions and bad news. As Sam strolls up and down the streets and through the woods, opportunities abound to slow down, examine their neighbors and interact with them too. The readers, right along with the author, get to experience interesting facets of the birds and flowers, the “Crazy Guy” with the unusual lawn decorations, the dedicated owner of the elderly golden retriever, and many other easily overlooked opportunities. Berner quotes many great authors, appreciating their vast insights into the human experience. Walks With Sam is filled with thoughtful observations, providing an abundance of thought-provoking moments for self-enlightenment. If you would like to appreciate “the beauty and redemptive power of a contemplative walk,” I can’t think of no better guide book than Walks With Sam. David W. Berner writes with all the wisdom of a renowned philosopher matched with the down to earth nature that only a dedicated pet owner could possess!
