For the Kids • Ages 4–8 • Gentle Goodbyes
Paw Prints on My Heart
When a family pet dies, a child is often handed a softened word and left alone with a very big feeling. This gentle picture book does the opposite: the whole story of Sam and his old dog Biscuit in plain, honest words. No “went to sleep.” No “we lost him.” Just the truth, held kindly.
- Picture book for ages 4–8
- Honest language, no euphemisms
- Note for Grown-Ups included
- Keepsake pages a child fills in
What's inside
Written to be read together — once, or every night for a while.
The story
Sam and Biscuit's whole life together — the naps, the walks, the slowing down, and the goodbye — told at a child's pace, with room to stop and talk.
A Note for Grown-Ups
What to say, which words to avoid, what's normal in a grieving child, and when to seek extra help — one calm page for the adults.
Eight Ways to Remember
Simple things to do together — a paw-print craft, a favorite-story night — that turn missing into remembering.
Keepsake pages
Four fill-in pages where the child draws and writes about their own dog — theirs to keep when the book goes back on the shelf.
Honest words
Research on childhood grief is clear: euphemisms confuse and frighten. This book says "died" gently and means it kindly.
Soft watercolour art
Warm, quiet illustrations that hold the sadness without making it scary.
The Cat Edition
A Cat-Shaped Space
The Gentle Goodbyes series has a cat edition, too — for the families whose quiet spot on the windowsill is suddenly empty. Same honest approach, same Note for Grown-Ups, same keepsake pages.
When to give these books
- Before a planned goodbye, to prepare gently
- In the first days after, when words are hard
- As a sympathy gift to a family with children
- Anytime "where did they go?" needs a better answer
Details
The kindest thing you can hand a grieving child
Honest words, a story like theirs, and pages that are theirs to keep.
More from the same shelf
The Senior Dog Health Journal
For the golden years before goodbye — comfort, care, and good days recorded.
See the journal