When Alfie McPoonst dies, Izzy is bereft. She lies in his bed sometimes, and often on the chair where he used to cuddle with his special blanket. Then the letters begin to come. Alfie tells her all about Dog Heaven and how happy he is on his special cloud, and all the things he is allowed to do now, like 'scaring big wolves and chasing postmen'; no baths are a plus too, as are lots of 'parks and sticks'. He gets his own hamburgers and ice cream - and is even allowed to eat cowpats ! Peeing on slides and pooing on grass is actively encouraged, and he has lots of doggy friends. Gradually, Izzy begins to see Dog Heaven as a happy place for Alfie, and her loving and supportive parents (obviously the letter writers) help her to realise that Alfie also misses her while enjoying his new life too. A wonderfully sensitive book for young children missing a pet and encountering death for the first time, this has wonderful and very unusual illustrations, dark with the night sky much in evidence in the beginning and then becoming brighter as Izzy becomes brighter too. When Alfie writes to Izzy that he has left a bit of fluff behind the sofa for her, she finds the gift with pleasure, puts it in a locket and tells Alfie that she will remember him 'forever'. Very special.