This book, Walks with Buddy (and Thoughts on Christ and Church), actually started out as a collection of short stories I submitted to my church's newsletter, the Miles Post. My church's name is Miles Memorial United Methodist, which is located in Norfolk, Virginia.

The stories began in 2009 when I became the finance chair at my church. I found that while walking my dog, Buddy, I began having many thoughts about my surroundings, and many seemed to pertain to being finance chair as well as the church. With Buddy by my side, I had many interesting reflections, but I wasn't always sure where they were coming from, as I had never been a very religious person, so I decided the ideas were coming from Buddy himself.

I adopted Buddy on September 11, 2008, and I can honestly say he has really changed my life; he has a heart of gold! Nobody has ever been a stranger to Buddy, this being especially true for when my mother was in the hospital as well as the assisted living facility. The love Buddy had for my mother was the same love she had for him.

My mother was my inspiration in turning my little stories into a book to honor her. I am using my book, Walks with Buddy (and Reflections on Christ and Church), not only as a fund-raiser for my church but also as a way for everyone to get to know Buddy and maybe be drawn closer to Christ and their own church as well.

-- Frank Gray Hill

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