No More Muddy Paws

No More Muddy Paws: Helping Little Hearts Cope With Grief
A Gentle Children’s Book About Pet Loss for Ages 6–9

When a beloved pet dies, the world can suddenly feel quieter, emptier and unfamiliar for a child.

No More Muddy Paws is a compassionate children’s grief book designed to help young readers cope with the loss of a dog - often a child’s first experience of a “big goodbye.”

Told through the eyes of Bao, a young boy whose dog Buster filled his world with muddy paws, wagging tails and whispered secrets, this gentle story explores how grief can feel confusing, overwhelming and “wrong-sized” when someone so important is no longer there.

No More Muddy Paws gently explores:

• Big feelings after losing a pet
• Anger, confusion and sadness when the world keeps going
• The “Wrong-Sized” feeling - when everything feels different or empty
• Missing the everyday moments, sounds and routines
• Staying connected through memories, love and “Happy-Sad” moments

Includes Bao’s “Buster Toolkit” for Children

At the heart of the book is Bao’s “Buster Toolkit”, a thoughtful collection of simple, practical ideas designed to help children process their emotions and feel less alone.

Children will also learn:

• How to create a Memory Box to keep special items safe
• Understanding “Happy-Sad” feelings and why both can exist together
• The “Invisible Lead” walk - staying connected through imagination and memory
• That it’s okay to feel angry, sad, or confused
• That love doesn’t disappear - it stays in new ways

This book is ideal for:

• Parents supporting a child through the loss of a pet
• Families navigating grief and first experiences of death
• Primary schools and teachers
• School counsellors and therapists
• Bereavement and family support organisations

No More Muddy Paws offers comfort, understanding and reassurance for children learning to live with loss.

Because even when the muddy paws are gone… the love they leave behind never washes away.

Written by Wayne Hutchinson & Nadeen Swaby of Handle My Affairs
Helping families navigate life’s most difficult moments with clarity, compassion and practical support.