The journalist and author of the bestselling Ruskin Park delivers a moving and hopeful account of how he and his family, after losing their beloved Collie Cross, opened their hearts and home to a Romanian rescue dog.
How do you welcome someone new into your home and heart? A week before Christmas 2022, former BBC journalist and award-nominated podcaster Rory Cellan-Jones received a special delivery that changed the course of his life. This is the story of #SophieFromRomania, told in full for the first time.
In January 2022, the Cellan-Jones-Coyle family said goodbye to their beloved elderly Collie Cross, Cabbage. Newly retired, Rory had become inseparable from her during daily pandemic walks which alleviated his Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. After a grief-stricken year, Rory and his wife Diane contemplated opening up their hearts again and came across a dog listing for ‘a kind girl who loves everybody and is just looking for her forever home’.
Bright-eyed, big-eared and trembling, Sophie arrives in London in a van from Central Europe on 17th December. Rory holds the Romanian rescue in his arms, excited for their first walk together – unaware it is more than a year ahead. Sophie From Romania follows the journey of her adoption – from her battles with anxiety, to the joys of play and her first foray outside – as Roryand Diane work with expert dog trainer Si to win Sophie’s trust, and navigate Rory’s Parkinson’s diagnosis.
This is a moving story of growing together through love, kindness and a lot of patience, revealing how adopting pets can be challenging but also full of rewarding moments. It’s also a celebration of rescue dogs, and community, as Rory uplifts fellow Romanian dog owners and his new friends from the #SophieFromRomania hashtag.
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
ISBN: 9781529918588
Number of pages: 304
Weight: 530 g
Dimensions: 241 x 161 x 28 mm
I am one of the many who has followed the story of Sophie from Romania. Those of us who adopted traumatised rescue dogs know that their story is one of patience, perseverance, and frequent setbacks. But what Sophie, Rory and Diane have also shown is the utter joy and reward that comes with every step forward. In a dark time, their story has given all of us a daily dose of hope, and a reminder of the importance - and endurance - of kindness. - Jojo Moyes, author of 'Me Before You'
I spend my life with stray dogs but find myself rushing online to see what little Sophie has been up to... It fills my heart with so much joy. A wonderful dog, rescued by beautifully patient humans. Everything that is good about life. - Niall Harbison, author of HOPE
A love story of sorts... A tale of a besotted middle-aged man – former BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones – and Sophie, a rescue dog from Romania, the pointy-eared object of his affection - Margarette Driscoll, Daily Mail
Olive and Mabel are fascinated by Sophie’s journey, firmly believing that sofas are to be slept on, rather than hidden behind and are excited to hear her story being read to them by their human assistant. - Andrew Cotter, author of 'Olive and Mabel'
Having had rescue dogs and having family with Parkinson's this book ticks all my boxes.
Even if you do not tick those boxes it is a wonderful book.
Beautifully written. Rory is an inspiration!
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