Heroine Interview from Dad in Training

Interview with the heroine – Molly Manning from DAD IN TRAINING
by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired, September 2009 release.

1. Molly, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Other than I’m a special needs teacher with an innovative program called Teacher’s Pet, I guess I’ll say I’m determined. When I want something that’s important to me, I don’t take no for an answer. I strive to succeed because I don’t like to fail. I can’t fail.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love working with dogs---all kinds of dogs. I love training them and playing with them. What I love about dogs is they are faithful and offer unconditional love. Oh yes, and I know where I stand with them. A wagging tail, the dog likes me; bared teeth, I’d better get out of its way.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I dread talking about my teen years. My parents were “the Cleavers.” They seemed perfect, and I tried to meet their expectations, but for a while, I gave up. I’m ashamed of those years and I won’t talk about it.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m most afraid of two things, failing as I said before, and having to tell someone I love about those difficult years that I want to forget.


5. What do you want out of life?

I want to own a dog shelter and provide training for them so they can be adopted to good homes. I want to see euthanasia end for dogs that are trainable.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Being fulfilled is important to me---the dog shelter and I suppose, I’d like to have a husband and family one day. I’m thirty and have nothing in the horizon. But I’m an optimist---and don’t forget, I don’t like to fail.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

I don’t read as much as I’d like. Working as an educator fulltime and then striving to build a dog shelter business takes time, but when I do sit and relax, I read books about people who’ve struggled and learned to survive. Oh, and I do read my Bible.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I could change a lot of things, I’m sure. My friend Steph Wright could give you a list as long as her arm, but since she’s not doing the interview, I’ll say patience is what I’d like to change. I want things to happen now not later. I forget that things happen in God’s time and not always mine.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

Funny you ask that question. No. I love dogs but I live in a condo that doesn’t allow pets. So maybe that’s my other dream, to live in a house. When I have a pet, naturally it would be a dog or two. I love Steph’s border collie Fred, so I might like to have a border collie or maybe a golden retriever. I love those too.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I would return to my teen years and undo what I’m so sorry for. I think everyone has horrible things they do, and they wish they could wind back the clock. I know God forgave me, but that’s another flaw I have. I can’t seem to forgive myself.

Thanks for the interview. It helped me put some things into perspective. Maybe in time all my dreams and wishes will come true. I think they will. I’m very determined.