Seeking Shama: Me, My Dog, and the Road to Inner Peace

by Kee Kee Buckley

Seeking Me, My Dog, and the Road to Inner Peace is a heartfelt, candid, and inspiring memoir that explores the raw edges of being human, the freedom of the open road, and the journey toward spiritual reconnection.

When Kee Kee Buckley’s career as a Hollywood executive vanishes overnight—just as the love of her life resurfaces with his new wife and family—she’s left with a broken heart, no safety net, and the disorienting ache of a life that didn’t go as planned.

Thank God she had her dog, Yoda.

With nothing left to lose, they hit the road in her Prius, affectionately named Princess Leia, on a five-month journey guided by a faded, decade-old sticky note taped to the “I Welcome Change.”

From being adopted by a curandera in Arkansas to falling in and out of love in Texas to living in Iowa’s iconic American Gothic House with Ms. American Pie, Kee Kee’s search for shama—Sanskrit for inner peace—unfolds in magical, messy, and deeply human ways.

Part travelogue, part spiritual journey, Seeking Shama is a reminder that sometimes the road to peace begins where the map ends—and that healing can come in the form of a wagging tail, a soothing hot spring, or the bravery to start again.

286 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2025

Reviews

[Todd Lieman]

I loved this book. I loved it because it’s real. It’s approachable. It’s human. All of us. It’s not based on some wildly, hard to imagine experience. It’s based on life. Lost jobs. Ended relationships. What now? Most of us don’t have the courage to look in the mirror and answer that question with authenticity. With truth. Most of us just continue fighting the same fight. Trying to fit into the same systems. Most of us fear change. Kee Kee welcomed it. I’ve read quite a few books like this. The memoirs. The spiritual journeys. Many of them are rooted in an impossible to imagine overcoming experience. They are inspiring in an “I can’t believe she was able to heal from that” kind of way. They are important for that. Seeking Shama is more of an invitation. An invitation to expand our minds of what’s possible for us if we allow ourselves the courage of truth and the truth of courage. Plus, she’s got a dog named Yoda. That’s just ice cream on the pie. I already know who I’m going to gift my copy to. This book deserves to be read—not sit on a shelf.

[Kelly Wainwright]

wow. I DEVOURED this book, & let me be clear - I never read!!!!! It felt less like reading & more like devouring a cathartic feast of flavors, scents, & curious intricacies with all my senses and more. It's as though Kee Kee took me with her on her adventures - introducing me to a wide & colorful array of humans, pets, & spaces - both foreign & familiar. She made me fall in love with Yoda (her dog). She made me curious about what was around each corner. It is a journey of questions and curiosities, deep loves, deep losses, big & little surprises, unexpected generosities, & lots of quirk (in the best way). It is a ritual of drinking coffee, eating pie, & soaking with strangers in hidden "backwoods" hot springs. It is real & relatable. Her non-judgmental nature leads her to the weird & wonderful. Don't hesitate. Do yourself a favor & buy the book!

[Jeff Cooper]

As someone who went on a similar journey of loss (albeit not a road trip!) with the love and support of a precious animal (my cat in my case) I was in from the start of this wonderfully written emotionally educational book.

I found myself eagerly turning the Kindle pages wanting to know where the author was going next and what thoughts and lessons would be revealed.

Kee Kee writes in an easy style that brings the reader in and Yoda (her dog) consistently made me smile along the way.

Embracing small change is something I can struggle with in life whereas big change can be very liberating I know. If you’re unsure about either and would like a spiritually uplifting book to enjoy and learn from and laugh with - this is the one!

I’ve ordered the hard copy book too so as to read a second time also.

In summary: Unputdownable!

[Deb Miller]

Seeking Shama is an inspiring and heartfelt memoir that beautifully captures a woman's search for meaning, healing and self- discovery. Kee-Kee sets out on a road trip across the US with her dog "Yoda" to do some soul searching for the next chapter in her life. Her Journey is raw, vulnerable and courageous. She discovers new friendships and experiences everywhere she goes. Her writing is raw, truthful, and humorous. Her book had me binge reading to find out what happened next! What I loved the most was the obvious love she has for her dog. It was clear to me that she was full of love for everyone else but herself. This was her journey to discover and love herself and not to worry what society thinks. I think a lot of people can relate to her experience. Seeking Shama is a wonderful read for anyone who loves travel, personal growth or dogs!

[Beth Lennon]

An inspirational companion for all of us who have felt like we don't know where we're going, and searching for a deeper meaning to life, Seeking Shama reads like a missive from a good pal. Packed with personal info as well as tidbits about where Buckley traveled, searching for inner peace, it's light as it is deep, with humor and self reflection. I could not put the book down, and was sorry to have finished it, and will carry the lessons I learned from Seeking Shama with me on my own journey through life.

[Denise Buckley]

This memoir is a beautifully written look at what it really means to seek peace in the middle of life's chaos. The author shares her journey with honesty, vulnerability, and a quiet strength that makes the book hard to put down. Her reflections feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. I especially appreciated her ability to find meaning in small moments and to show that healing isn't linear. A moving, thoughtful read that lingers long after the last page.

[Daniel S]

Honest and intimate, a painful healing journey to inner peace and meaning in life.