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3 Small Acts of Kindness Inspired by My Dog

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If you’ve ever shared your life with a dog, or any animal, you know they have a way of teaching lessons without ever saying a word. My dog, Dexter, has been one of my greatest teachers, a patient listener, a master of presence, and a daily reminder to slow down and notice the small moments that make up a life.


As I worked on my new book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, I found myself reflecting on how many of those lessons came straight from Dexter’s paw prints or from other dogs I’ve been blessed to have in my life. Dogs don’t complicate kindness. They simply live it.

Here are three small acts of kindness I’ve learned from Dexter. Maybe they’ll remind you, too, that the world becomes a little softer when we let our pets lead the way.


1. Patience Is Its Own Kind of Love

Dexter has the patience of a saint, especially when it comes to waiting for his dinner or his much-anticipated daily walks. He doesn’t huff, roll his eyes, or check the clock (though he does stare intently at the leash). He just waits, tail sweeping the floor, knowing that good things come when they’re meant to.


Watching him taught me that patience is a quiet form of kindness, both toward others and ourselves. When I catch myself rushing through a conversation, finishing someone’s sentence, or feeling frustrated at a long line in the store, I think of Dexter.


He reminds me that patience says, “I see you, and I’m not in a hurry to move past this moment with you.” Whether that’s waiting for a friend to find the right words or allowing ourselves grace when life moves slower than we’d like, patience creates space for gentleness.


Maybe that’s why dogs seem so peaceful. They’re not chasing time, they’re trusting it.


2. The Power of Being Present

There’s something about the way dogs live completely in the moment. Dexter doesn’t dwell on yesterday’s squirrel that got away or worry about tomorrow’s thunderstorm. His joy exists entirely in the now. The rustle of leaves as a chipmunk runs through, the sound of the cheese container being opened, and the treat in my pocket.


He’s taught me that presence is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Too often, our minds are miles away while our bodies go through the motions. We’re checking emails, planning dinner, or scrolling through headlines while life quietly unfolds around us.


But Dexter has this way of nudging me, literally, until I put the phone down and just be. He’ll sit beside me on the porch, head tilted toward the setting sun, reminding me that peace isn’t something we chase; it’s something we notice.


The power of being present isn’t just about slowing down; it’s about connecting. With our loved ones, our pets, and ourselves.


3. Noticing the Little Things

When Dexter and I take our daily walks, he notices everything. The faintest scent on the breeze, a new flower blooming along the trail, a squirrel darting up a tree. It’s like he’s discovering the world for the very first time, every single day.


And honestly? That’s inspiring.


Some days, I find myself lost in thought, thinking of errands and the never-ending list of home repairs,

or all of the “shoulds.” But when I follow Dexter’s lead, I start noticing the same things he does: the crunch of leaves underfoot, the sparkle of morning dew, the laughter of a child.


Those tiny moments might seem small, but they anchor us to what’s real. They remind us that joy isn’t found in grand gestures or big plans, it’s in the quiet details we often overlook.

Dexter’s curiosity has become my own small act of kindness to the world around me. Noticing beauty is a way of saying thank you for being alive.


Listening to the Lessons

If we slow down long enough, our pets have so much to teach us. They’re not worried about looking perfect, being productive, or keeping up appearances. They simply love, fully and without hesitation.


Imagine if we all lived that way for just one day. If we greeted others with open hearts, forgave quickly, loved deeply, and noticed the beauty hiding in plain sight.


The truth is that the world doesn’t need more perfection. It needs more kindness, and sometimes, that kindness starts with a cold nose nudging your hand.


My new book, 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness, was born from these lessons. Real moments of love, laughter, and the everyday wisdom our animals share with us. Each story is paired with simple reflections and kindness prompts to help you carry those lessons into your own life.


If Dexter could speak, beyond his happy barks and at times, derisive snorts, he’d tell you it’s worth reading, not because he shares his own unique wisdom, but because it’s about us. The humans and animals who make each other better, one paw print at a time.


You can pre-order 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness now on Amazon. Let’s make the world a kinder place, one wag, one purr, and one small act of kindness at a time.




 
 
 

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©2024 by Kim Lengling Author

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