Sophie From Romania: What a rescue dog taught me about patience, love and hope

'How do you welcome someone new into your heart and home?'

A week before Christmas, newly retired BBC journalist Rory Cellan-Jones receives a special delivery that will change his life.

This is the story of rescue dog #SophieFromRomania.

In January 2022, the Cellan-Jones-Coyle family said goodbye to their beloved elderly Collie cross, Cabbage. She and Rory had become inseparable during daily pandemic walks, which alleviated his Parkinsons symptoms. After a grief-stricken year, Rory and his wife Diane come across a 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 on 17 December 2022. Rory holds the Romanian rescue in his arms, excited for their first walk together but the road ahead will be a long one.

This book follows the real journey of Sophies adoption from her battles with anxiety, to the joys of play and her first time outside as Rory and Diane work with expert dog trainer Si to win Sophies trust and navigate Rorys Parkinsons disease.

This is a moving story of love, kindness and a lot of patience, paying tribute to rescue dogs and their tender community.