What do you do when a favourite pet dies and you're left with precious memories you think should be shared in some way?

Well, if you are Betsy Mulderig you use them as inspiration for a wonderful children's book which you then dedicate to the dearly deceased.

'Do-Boy Digs Bermuda' is that book, and it is a charmer.

Do(pronounced doo)-Boy was the name of the author's beloved dachshund and constant companion for many years, so naturally as a very successful artist who is known for her whimsical imagination, he is not only the hero of her text, but also the star of her delightful artwork.

These are not airy-fairy kiddie drawings, however. Closer inspection reveals a distinctly Bermudian flavour because they cleverly incorporate little details of everyday life here – everything from Lilly Pulitzer pants to the Brown & Company store sign, a mayo jar, motor scooter, crash helmet, the dump, lizards, birds, bling-bling of course, and more. In addition, there such landmarks as the Sea Venture replica, the Aquarium, the Ace building, and the 'Bird Cage'.

"The Ace building was inspirational as background because of its pale, pastel, marshmallowy colours and the power of the building itself," Miss Mulderig says. Ladybugs are included because "they are meant to bring good luck if you see one", and are a favourite of the author-artist's mother. Miss Mulderig's current dachshund Gus (Twinkie) served as the artist's model.

Do-Boy is quite the blade in his shades and paw-and-bone-print Bermuda Jams, worn low of course, which he drops only once to "mark" his presence on Ordnance Island in St. George's. His wardrobe also includes a cape with his name woven, Louis Vuitton style, into the lining.

Not only is the hero of the story featured large opposite every page of text, but also Miss Mulderig provides continuity on the bottom of the text pages themselves with the searching dog snooping along preceded by a pair of ants. The outlines of the drawings are done using a thin pen and ink, and incorporate plenty of colour. The vivid yellow inside both covers echoes the background of Do-Boy's Jams.

The story is told in rhyming text because Miss Mulderig discovered that parents prefer it that way. "They have told me it is much easier to read rhyming text to a child, and it is also more fun, and almost like singing," she says. Throughout the book there is a recurring "chorus" about everything being "tickety-boo", which children can be encouraged to repeat as the story unfolds.

"When I did my readings for 'Tiny the Treefrog' (another of Miss Mulderig's creations) it was so much easier to capture the children's attention (with a similar device), so when I wrote this I did the same thing, and it will teach the children to join in the little chorus in readings," the author says. Talented as she is, Miss Mulderig won't be doing readings of 'Do-Boy Digs Bermuda' herself; instead she leaving that to her good friend Debbie Jackon, whom she says is perfect for the role.

"She will be doing readings at the schools, and coming from a theatre background she has a Hollywood style about her," she says.

Do-Boy's journey through the book is driven by a pirate map which has him searching all over the Island for an unspecified treasure which he envisages to be something priceless.

He is totally focussed on this potential material gain, and spares no effort in his search. But all that glitters is not gold, and when finally he unearths the buried treasure after endless digging he discovers it is not something material but a thousand bright stars stolen from Mars, which he returns.

"These are like diamonds," he felt in his brain, "not just for me, but for everyone's gain", is how the story with the moral ends.

"Originally, I wanted Do-Boy to dig up a big case of gold and coins, but my friend Clare Smith said, 'You should be careful about the message you are sending to children. I am sure you shouldn't be making pirates look good because essentially they are thieves'," Miss Mulderig relates.

Although the Book Mart launch and book is not until this Thursday, the book is already a hit with shoppers, who purchased 100 copies within the first ten days it was on the shelves.

A large wooden figure of Do-Boy, all dressed up in his signature Jams, and wearing bright sun glasses and a gold bone necklace, has also been creating quite a stir in the store.

The cut-out was made by Miss Mulderig's boyfriend, Hughy Watlington. While carrying it down Reid Street on his bike, it so caught the eye of a traffic warden that she promptly went into the store and bought the book, which Miss Mulderig then signed.

In the meantime, the author-artist has discovered that a US a club of 60-year-olds who surf and mountain climb is also called the Do Boys, so a complimentary book is on its way to them. A Japanese publisher is interested in translating the book because his countrymen are apparently very fond of dachsunds.

• 'Do-Boy Digs Bermuda' is published by Starr Publishing, stocked by the Book Mart, the Bermuda Book Store, A.S. Cooper's, and the airport shops, and retails for $21.95. Miss Mulderig will be signing her books at the Book Mart on Thurday from 11 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.