Welcome to the author interview with Kim Lengling as she shares with us about her book – 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness!
Blurb
What if your greatest teacher of kindness was sleeping at your feet?
In this uplifting mini-eBook, author Kim Lengling, a veteran, pet lover, and creator of Nuggets of Hope, shares 15 beautiful reflections on how pets gently remind us to slow down, forgive more, love deeper, and be kind to ourselves and those around us.
From tail wags to purring snuggles, our pets offer unconditional love, patience, and a powerful presence that can shift even the hardest days. Each short chapter is paired with a simple kindness prompt to help you carry their lessons into your own life, one paw print at a time.
Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or simply seeking a little hope and inspiration, this cozy companion will leave you smiling, reflecting, and maybe reaching for your furry friend.
Ready to learn more about 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness and the author behind it? Keep reading for our interview with author Kim Lengling!
Author Lengling, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with Scribbles about your book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness!
Q: Author Lengling, in your preface for 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, you say that you were inspired by your dogs, both past and present. You mention two dogs from your past – Dobie and Digger. Can you share how these two helped inspire this book?
Author Lengling: I’ve always been inspired and felt most at peace in nature and around animals. I’ve had a dog in my life since I was young. I’ve loved each of the dogs that I have been blessed to have in my life.
The one that began inspiring me to write, from a dog’s point of view, was Digger. He was a Lab/Shepard mix rescue. Solid black in color but for a small patch of white on his chest. He was a big dog, tall, long and lean weighing in at 10 pounds. To me, he was the smartest dog. You never had to teach him something twice. He was protective, smart and a good judge of humans and would let me know when he didn’t trust someone. We became so in tune with each other over the years. I live with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress) and over the years, Digger instinctively knew when to be near, when to nudge me so I would refocus and when to wake me up from a nightmare.
I began writing conversations I imagined he would have with me and all the other animals that lived in and around the fields and woods.
When he let me know it was time for me to say goodbye to him…it crushed me. I stopped writing for a while.
Then one day, about six months later, I felt a whisper…”There’s a dog out there that needs you.”
Now, I didn’t think I was ready to have another dog in my life. In fact, I was set against it, but that small voice wouldn’t let up and I ended up going to the same shelter I adopted Digger from and rescued Dexter. A skinny, frightened and ill dog who desperately needed a home and love.
Once he settled in and we became comfortable with each other, I began seeing how conversations with him would take place, as a younger dog with younger dog wisdom and I look forward to seeing how this part of our lives plays out.
Wow! It sounds like Digger had quite the impact on your life for the time period that the two of you were together. While it must have been truly heartbreaking to say good-bye to Digger, it sounds like he might have been a part of that small whisper urging you to get out there and adopt another dog. Simply so that Dexter could find his own place in your life.
It’s such a heartwarming revelation that you’ve shared with us and our readers. Thank you for that.
Q: Throughout your book, you offer various kindness prompts and reflective questions. How did you come up with them?
We can only imagine that you must have come up with quite a few kindness prompts for each section of your book. How did you whittle them down to just a select few that managed to make it into the book itself?
Author Lengling: That’s a great question! I write ideas down as they come to me; on sticky notes, in a tablet, I’d text myself if I wasn’t home to write something down. I had quite a collection building up in a folder I created on my laptop and thought hey! I should use some of these in a book! I used the ones that seemed to fit best with the chapter I was writing at the time.
That’s really amazing that you had prompts that you were able to look through and find the exact ones that fit each chapter! It’s quite fortuitous that you wrote them down as they came to you so that you could share them with the world through your writing!
Q: Why was 15 the “magic number,” so to speak, for 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness? Was it always your intention to keep this book a quick read?
Author Lengling: I have no solid reason for choosing the number 15. I knew I didn’t want to use an even number, because…well…I wanted to use an odd number. Nothing very profound or anything made me choose 15. I just thought it sounded like a good number. LOL
LOL! Okay! We were just curious if there was anything “special” about the number 15, but at the end of the day, not every number needs to be special, right? It just needs to fit what you need in that moment. Thank you for sharing. LOL!
Q: What is your favorite thing about sharing these reflective moments that center around your pets?
Author Lengling: I like to think and imagine others reading them and being able to see themselves in a situation or thought. Those with pets love them dearly and those that pay attention to their pets, will maybe begin to see the lessons they teach us each and every day.
We can definitely attest to that. As we read your book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, we reflected on some of our past pets (cats and dogs now gone on) and were able to see in retrospect some of the lessons that they taught us. Really brought tears to our eyes.
Q: How much fun was it to “help” write Dexter’s contribution to 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness?
Author Lengling: I always have fun with that! I pay attention to his mannerisms each day. When he’s happy or what looks to me like he is contemplating something. Or when he is tired or grumpy. Small conversations pop into my head and little lessons typically follow.
Reading those sections of 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness was definitely one of our favorite parts of the book. It was fun imaging what Dexter’s voice would sound like as he’s contributing to the book.
Q: In section 7 of 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, you wrote “I remember Dexter’s outstretched paw and hopeful eyes.” It got us thinking…the front cover. Is that Dexter that we’re getting a glimpse of with his paw outstretched?
Author Lengling: Actually, no. It is not. It is just a great picture I found. I had a similar picture that I had taken years ago with Digger’s paw in my hand. It was something he used to do each evening when we would be on the couch. I’d be petting him and if I stopped, he would gently put his big paw in the palm of my hand.
Oh okay! We really thought that was him, but knowing that he used to put his paw in the palm of your hand if you stopped petting him. That’s really sweet, and just plain adorable. LOL!
Q: Of the 15 ways listed in your book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, which one would you say is your favorite and/or is one that you apply to your life on a regular basis?
Author Lengling: Chapter 5. Teaching Us To Pause and Notice.
This is one I work hard to do each day. Deep breaths. Truly see what is in front of you, not just pass it by because your head is tilted down focused on your phone or you are thinking of 10 different needs you need to do later. Focus on where you are now. Watch your dog. See how he/she sniffs the air, stops to sit for no apparent reason or looks at everything? There is no reason we as humans can’t make the time to truly notice the world around us. We may be surprised by the beauty we see.
We think that particular chapter is one that many of us should focus on. Especially in today’s day and age. We know that we’re super guilty of that. LOL! Always jumping from one task to the next, and trying to keep up with the list of things we think or know we need to get done.
In this new year, hopefully all of us will be able to take a minute and just slow down and be more in the moment like our beloved pets.
Q: Author Lengling, you are such an advocate for animals. What inspired you onto this path?
Author Lengling: As I shared earlier, I’ve always loved animals and being outdoors. I’ve always gravitated towards animals. I’m also a very empathetic person and feel deeply for animals who need a safe home. Each dog I have had, all but one, has been a rescue. I want to be able to provide a dog a good life, especially if they hadn’t had one prior.
That is both heartwarming and inspirational author Lengling. We’re sure that others will be inspired by you and hopefully take steps to become advocates for animals as well.
Q: What would you encourage readers to do after they reach the final page(s) of 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness?
Author Lengling: Pay attention to your pet(s). You’ll be surprised at what you learn and can incorporate in your own life. Animals speak to us each day. They may not use words, but they are definitely speaking to us.
Sounds like pretty sound advice fellow readers! If you have a pet, pay more attention to them and how they go through their days! You’ll find you can learn a thing or two!
Q: If you could recommend a book for readers to pick up after reading 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, what would you encourage them to read next?
Author Lengling: Goodness, that’s a tough one! There are so many great books out there that feature dogs and pets and in each, are lessons we can all learn and use throughout our days.
One I would highly recommend is a NY Times Best Seller, Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson. A true story about a blind man and his guide dog Thunder leading him out of one of the towers on 911. I’ve had Michael on my podcast a couple of times, and I’ve been a guest on his show. His story is motivational and shares just how animals can play a huge part in our lives.
Good choice! We’ve actually read that book and can absolutely say that it quite the riveting story and worth the read! Readers, if you want you can check out our review for Thunder Dog here!
Q: Is there anything that you’re currently working on for readers to look forward to in the future?
Author Lengling: I’m working on a couple of books, one of which will be featuring Dexter and more of his doggy wisdom. I’m having fun writing it and hope to have that released within a year. There is no set date. I’m letting myself enjoy the process.
Awesome! We look forward to hopefully having the opportunity to read it when it comes available!
Q: Is there anything that you’d like to share with our readers before you go?
Author Lengling: First, thank you for this interview! I love sharing stories about writing and my dogs!
Second, if anyone would like to gather more nuggets of hope, you can visit my website and check out my book Nuggets of Hope, Cultivate Kindness.
I’ve got a bit of a theme going the past couple of years. Doing my best to toss out kindness in a world that often feels a bit dark.
Author Kim Lengling we appreciate you taking the time to share with us here at Scribbles and our readers about your book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness. We look forward to reading more of your work in the future! Thank you so much for your time today!
We enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read and review 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, and you can check out the review here.
About the Author:
If you spot someone hiking a trail with a coffee mug in one hand and a dog leash in the other—yep, that’s probably Kim Lengling.
Kim’s a multi-published author, podcast host, and all-around champion of hope and real talk. She’s the voice behind the Let Fear Bounce podcast, where she shares stories that remind you hope is real, kindness matters, and you’re never alone—even on rough days. As a veteran living with PTSD, Kim knows the power of small, hopeful moments.
She’s the lead author of six heart-hugging anthologies (the latest, Paw Prints on the Kitchen Floor), and her book, Nuggets of Hope: Cultivate Kindness, drops real-life stories that lift you up when the world feels heavy. To continue her kindness mission, her newest release, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, is available as an eBook this November.
When Kim’s not writing or recording, you’ll find her relaxing with a good book, filling her coffee cup (again), or walking with her dog, Dexter, living her best nature-loving life.
Hang out with Kim:
kimlenglingauthor.com
YouTube: @LetFearBounce
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