Bali’s Big Adventure
In the year 2051, a spirited seven-month-old Corgi named Bali decided to leave his cozy home in Toronto, Canada, in search of independence and thrills. Two young pickpockets quickly saw his bright demeanor as a chance to get away with small stolen items. They planned to transport these goods from Toronto to New York City for profit. Unaware of the dangers awaiting him, Bali bounded along, too curious to be frightened.
During his race through the bustling streets, Bali discovered just how much human activity had transformed the environment. Climate change showed itself in stark ways, and newly invented flying vehicles took to the skies in a disorganized frenzy. Despite these unusual hurdles, the ever-adventurous Bali pressed on, guided by his puppy optimism and a bit of sheer luck.
A Surprising Twist in Time and Space
Bali’s journey soon led him to a house occupied by brilliant scientists who were experimenting with a teleportation device. Oblivious to the potential for chaos, he wandered into their lab at the exact moment the machine powered up. An artificial intelligence microchip, accidentally left in the apparatus, merged seamlessly with Bali’s canine brain as he was whisked away to a parallel dimension.
To his complete astonishment, Bali found himself dropped right into the soap opera “Kisses and Tears,” a 2042 South Korean melodrama being replayed on a television in the home. Surrounded by over-the-top emotions, tearful breakups, and dramatic confessions, the plucky Corgi navigated his new reality with the same resolve he showed on Toronto’s sidewalks. This unexpected role landed him in the heart of love triangles and heartache, earning him a fitting nickname—a tourist in this world of kisses and tears.
The Mind Behind the Tale: Meet Leu Seyer
This whimsical adventure emerged from the creativity of Leu Seyer, the pen name of Miguel A. Reyes-Mariano. Born to Civil Engineer Sansón Reyes Castillo (now deceased) and Literacy Teacher, Cosmetologist, Dressmaker, and Entrepreneur Tomasa Mariano Sosa, Miguel displayed an early passion for storytelling. At the age of twelve, he wrote a three-act play called “In Duarte’s Homeland.” Four years later, he crafted a short story, “The Bus Back Home,” about two high school seniors in the Dominican Republic who lost their way in the public transportation system.
His seventh-grade teacher, Diomedes Christopher Sánchez—later a dean at INTEC University—recognized his talent but advised him to keep his writing accessible. Miguel’s father echoed that sentiment, urging him to use plain language for broader appeal. Over time, Miguel wrote “Stress in the US Military Reserve” in 2015 and “My Buddy Bali” in 2024. Alongside these literary pursuits, he devoted nearly two decades to social work and served in the US Navy for 22 years, retiring honorably in 2022. He has also been an Accountant, Comptroller, Teacher, and HR Chief-Deputy of Training at the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic. Currently, in 2025, he works as a Counselor at the Erie County Department of Social Services and as an Adjunct Instructor of Spanish linguistics or Public Administration courses.
Real-Life Tragedy and Global Inspiration
The emotional core of “My Buddy Bali: A Tourist in Kisses and Tears” stems from real events. Bali was the first Corgi owned by the author and his wife. Sadly, the beloved dog lost his life when a speeding car swerved around a larger dog and struck him instead at a barn where the author’s wife kept her jumping horses. Despite her desperate pleas, Bali dashed off with another dog toward the incoming vehicle, never to return.
Weaving this heartache into magical realism, the author brought Bali’s memory to life in a story brimming with fantasy and futuristic elements. His personal experiences influence the book’s richly detailed world. Having traveled to over 200 cities across 37 countries on five continents, Miguel has lived in seven major cities with notable attractions and crime rates—from Mexico and Brazil to Spain, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Chicago, and New York City.
His participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and assignments to naval bases in Vieques, Puerto Rico; Rota, Spain; Naples, Italy; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba provided a global perspective on life’s unpredictability. He has also survived two attempted robberies—one in Mexico and another in New York City—further shaping his view of human resilience. His doctoral readings at the University of Buffalo broadened his cosmic outlook, merging scholarly insights with his vivid imagination.
All these experiences converge in “My Buddy Bali,” where a tiny Corgi takes on grand challenges in a future shaped by both human progress and missteps. Bali’s tale, inspired by grief and hope, captures the complexities of love and the enduring bond between pets and people. Through adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments, “My Buddy Bali: A Tourist in Kisses and Tears” showcases how real-life sorrows can spark stories that soothe and entertain. It reminds readers of the fragile, beautiful connection all beings share.
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