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These Are Wild Thing’s Tales To Tell

Erin L. Neal Author Interview

Wild Thing and The Bagel shares your family’s story about adopting two dogs and the challenges that people may face when rescuing an animal. What inspired you to share your story? 

Wild Thing was 13 when I started the book a couple of years ago.  His favorite human has always been Brady.  When Brady went off to college, Wild Thing went through a horrible depression, missing his best friend so much.  We had talked about getting another canine companion, but always wondered how Wild Thing would handle sharing his humans.  We made the leap that first summer of Covid, when everything was just re-opening.  The Bagel immediately made her way into our hearts and became friends immediately with Wild Thing.  Wild Thing had always provided us with entertainment and tales to tell ever since the day we brought him home 14 years ago.  When The Bagel joined the family, the stories more than doubled.  I knew then I needed to put their stories in writing—and every single story in the book has happened.  As Wild Thing is getting older, I knew putting this book together would be my little ‘love note’ to him.  

One thing I loved about this children’s book is that it is told from the perspective of Wild Thing. Why did you choose to tell the story from his perspective rather than your own voice?

These are Wild Thing’s tales to tell…and for anyone who has had pets, you know you can just tell when they are ’telling’ you about their day or about the other family pets’ antics.  Getting these stories out to everyone needed to be told from Wild Thing’s point of view to give it authenticity.  

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

I hope children, and adults, see the love and bond between humans and pets, and that rescue pets are simply awesome.  And, who knows, it might give someone the little push they need to make that leap to rescue a pet.  My purpose was to write the book so that kids of all ages could enjoy the stories.  

Are you working on more stories about Wild Thing and The Bagel?

Wild Thing and The Bagel give me new stories everyday—so, there is plenty of material.  My hope is to be able to put some of them into another book…or to possibly do a theme book (such as a holiday book or a book about different adventures).

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Wild Thing is a rescue dog who has loved being with his family and loves them unconditionally. What happens when a new dog, the Bagel, is brought into the mix? Will Wild Thing willingly share his family with the Bagel? Will the Bagel take over the family’s love and affection that was all for Wild Thing originally? Who rescues whom? Read about the escapades of Wild Thing and the Bagel to find out.


Wild Thing and The Bagel

Who really adopts who when a family brings home a new dog? According to the author, Erin L. Neal, it is, in fact, the dog that adopts the family. In the nonfiction children’s book Wild Thing and The Bagel, Erin shares her family’s story about adopting two amazing dogs.

Wild Thing is an energetic chocolate lab that instantly falls in love with his family, especially Brady. They were best friends and loved playing together. However, one day it was time for Brady to go off to school. Wild Thing tried to keep busy protecting Dad while he worked, but he was lonely. So Mom and Dad brought home a new dog that had rescued them. This sweet dog was named The Bagel because she was a basset hound and beagle mix. It took a while, but soon both dogs adjusted to having the other around and learned to play together. They learned to share the family they both love and became best friends.

Wild Thing and The Bagel is a wonderful picture book highlighting some crucial situations families face when adopting an animal. From the seemingly never-ending energy, training them to be good citizens, and dealing with separation anxiety, many things must be considered. Adding a new animal to the family can cause jealousy, and there will be a period of adjustment. This book teaches children about these phases and explains how it is normal. This is a great children’s book to read to kids when families want to get a new pet to help the whole family know what to expect.

Pages: 41 | ASIN : B0BP514VVK

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