Sophie From Romania, Rory CellanJones
Sophie From Romania, Rory CellanJones
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Sophie From Romania
A Year of Love and Hope with a Rescue Dog

Author: Rory Cellan-Jones

Narrator: Rory Cellan-Jones

Unabridged: 8 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/10/2024

Synopsis

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

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lisanne on September 06, 2025

Loved this book so much. It is so heartwarming!......more

Goodreads review by Edward on March 30, 2025

What I did not expect and really enjoyed about this book was the honesty with which it told the story of Sophie from Romania, and the challenges over the year.......more

Goodreads review by Blair4hair on November 14, 2024

I’ve followed the progress of Sophie from Romania for quite awhile. I’ve cheered her milestones and check in everyday when I look at my Instagram feed. After reading the book, I made my iPad screensaver picture the one of her being a little frightened puppy with an IV in her paw. Every time I open m......more

Goodreads review by Laura on November 10, 2024

I loved this book. I've followed Sophies's story almost from the start (I think from the first or second time #Sophiefromromania trended on Twitter) and Rory Cellan-Jones' account of the first year and a bit with Romanian rescue dog Sophie does not disappoint. For Sophie fans, the book covers famili......more

Goodreads review by Simon on August 10, 2025

I’ve never grown up with dogs, but my girlfriend has three - all Romanian rescue dogs. It’s been mixed on how they have received me, so I was intrigued to read about the experiences the author and his wife had. Despite the author’s doubts (and honesty) it’s a really uplifting read.......more

Quotes

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 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 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'

This is a loving, moving, honest book about the incredible patience required to build up trust with a traumatised dog, and the love that builds on both sides Mail on Sunday, *Books of the Year*

We’re cat people, not dog people. But it turned out to be a great read. Not just because it is a salutary tale about what you let yourself in for when adopting a rescue dog. But also because it’s also about how Rory is dealing with Parkinson’s and Movers and Shakers, the remarkable podcast series he started with several friends who also have the condition. Observer

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