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Press & Media
Information, photos and contact details for journalists, broadcasters, bloggers and organisations interested in Buddy & Friends.
At a glance
- Author: Catherine “Cats” Clawson, an NHS manager for a children’s surgery network (NHS since 2008)
- Books: Buddy & Tilda (dog safety and kindness, ages 3-7) and Buddy’s Christmas Treat (which foods are safe for dogs)
- Star: Buddy, rescued by Hope Rescue in South Wales at two weeks old, adopted in 2021
- Charity: at least £1 from every book goes to charity – over £700 raised so far
- Available: on Amazon, at local stockists and at Cats’ pop-up stalls
- Rated: 4.9/5 from Amazon reviews
About the author
Catherine – known since childhood as “Cats”, works in the NHS as a manager for a children’s surgery network. She wanted to write a picture book that promotes positive, safe interactions between children and dogs, and to raise money for charity along the way.
The idea grew from family life. Cats has a large extended family who weren’t used to dogs, and she wanted the children (and adults) to be comfortable around Buddy, and Buddy to be comfortable around them. The more she read, the more she noticed the gap between popular social media images of children with dogs and what really keeps children and dogs safe. Through her NHS work she was also aware of children being hurt by family pets.
About Buddy
Buddy was rescued by Hope Rescue when he was just two weeks old, fostered through the rescue, and joined the family in July 2021 at eight weeks old. He is the real-life star of the books and a regular at Cats’ events. Follow him on Instagram: @buddythebulllurcher.
The books
Buddy & Tilda
A fun, rhyming picture book that helps children aged 3–7 learn how to be safe, kind and respectful around dogs – no hugging, riding or getting in a dog’s face. Free teacher resources are available in Buddy’s Classroom.
Buddy’s Christmas Treat
A heart-warming festive rhyming story that helps children learn which foods are safe for dogs, and about kindness and looking after four-legged friends at Christmas. It was included on The Grand Appeal’s Christmas Wish List.
Supporting charity
At least £1 from every book sold goes to charity, and over £700 has been raised so far for Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, The Grand Appeal (Bristol Children’s Hospital) and Hope Rescue.
Recent activity
- Used with a Year 1 class by a trainee teacher – read the case study
- Speakers’ Corner at Woofstock, June 2026
- Guest on the National School Dog Alliance podcast with Professor Helen Lewis, April 2026
- Book promotion in the Bristol Royal Infirmary main entrance with Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, December 2025
- Stocked by a local toy shop, which has sold over 40 copies
Cats can talk about
- Positive, safe ways for children to interact with dogs – and why some viral photos worry dog experts
- Simple dog-safety rules for families with young children
- Christmas foods that are dangerous for dogs
- Adopting a rescue dog, and Buddy’s story from Hope Rescue
- Writing and self-publishing children’s books alongside an NHS career, to raise money for charity
Photos
Click any photo to open the full-size version for download. Please credit “Cats Clawson / Buddy & Friends”.
Contact
For interviews, review copies or event bookings, please use the contact form or email catsclawson@hotmail.com.