Walks with Sam

A Man, a Dog, and a Season of Awakening

By: David W. Berner

Narrated by: David W. Berner

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A sweet and beautiful story of a man, a dog, and the redemptive nature of a good walk from award-winning author David W. Berner.

A man, his dog, and a long walk can lead to unexpected discoveries. In the tradition of many literary walkers, David W. Berner sets out on foot hoping to reexamine his life, look back and forward, and most importantly, through the help of his young dog, Sam, try to find harmony in new beginnings and the uncertainties of the present.

In a series of chapters, each dedicated to one walk during a summer of hiking, the author finds that it is his beloved pet that allows him to awaken to a new spirit of mindfulness, finding beauty, wonder, and comfort in the ordinary, and to see a life, a neighborhood, and even a country with brand new eyes.

James Dodson, the best-selling author of Faithful Travelers, The Dewsweepers, Final Rounds, A Golfer's Life with Arnold Palmer, and The Range Bucket List: "The poet Wallace Stevens wrote that sometimes the answer comes with a walk around the lake. In my case, it's a daily walk around the neighborhood at dawn with the dogs that provides an answer to the unknown challenges of the day. Writer David W. Berner knows this truth better than most, a timeless phenomenon splendidly explored and revealed in his wise and insightful Walks with Sam, a moving memoir about how a young dog can teach an old man new tricks about mindfulness and presence. Hard to remember when I've enjoyed a walk with two friends more, a reminder of the important things dogs help us discern about ourselves - and the world around us."

©2020 David Warren Berner (P)2020 David Warren Berner

Critic reviews

"Berner's plainspoken manner reveals moments of true enlightenment. Dog lovers and spirtualists will adore this." (Publishers Weekly)

Leave the dogs. throw away the politic

did struggle to finish. love dogs, love this country, USA, in an uncomplicated way. our country is an ideal of idea, imperfect as it consists of humans.we have warts and wounds and some ugliness in our past. yet our principles are sound and allow us to grow and improve the human status of our citizens. I also loved Thoreau, the woods, nature and God, whom I put total faith in. I also loved the very imperfect being called Donald Trump, who improved the situations and lives of US citizens across the entire country and even other peoples in the world. Our current situation today, October 24,2021, is a shame and a disaster, hurting many innocent people. God is watching and I have faith the public will awaken to this disastrous wokeness. Dogs have been a comfort, therapy, and JOY sustaining me through 73 years. I concur with your observations on dogs. I would have enjoyed your work so much more without the inclusion of your politics. you were 12 when Woodstock happened. you weren't there. your references to Woodstock and the 60s are much rosier than my reflections.
write about what you know and understand. I share your perspective on dogs, I don't share your politics.stay in your own lane, man. Kathleen Ballard

Not to be missed!

A fun and thought-provoking read. You think it’s just about a guy walking his dog. But wait. It is far more and again not to be missed!