Sophie From Romania: A Year of Love and Hope with a Rescue Dog

Brought to you by Penguin.

How do you welcome someone new into your home and heart? A week before Christmas, newly
retired BBC journalist and award-winning Movers and Shakers podcaster Rory Cellan-Jones receives a special delivery that will change 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. She and Rory had become inseparable during daily pandemic walks, which alleviated his
Parkinson’s 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 Sophie’s 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 Sophie’s trust, and navigate Rory’s Parkinson’s disease.

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

'A DAILY DOSE OF HOPE' Jojo Moyes

'FILLS MY HEART WITH SO MUCH JOY' Niall Harbison

© Rory Cellan-Jones 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024