meet ella: the dog who saved my life

Touching, honest and life affirming, Meet Ella is a love letter to man’s best friend, and a beacon of hope to anyone struggling through hard times.

When he was a child, James Middleton wanted nothing more than a dog of his own.

Struggling to connect in the classroom, James would often take off in pursuit of nature and animals--exploring the Berkshire countryside, tinkering with rusty farm machinery, caring for injured creatures, and losing himself for hours to the outdoors.

Then, finally, his pleas for a dog (made via handwritten letters to his parents) were answered.

Meet Ella traces the extraordinary bond between James and his beloved first pup, Ella. From their enchanting introduction to their many adventures, from Scottish mountain sides to royal weddings, their journey is marked by love, loyalty, and unexpected twists of fate. Ella, a well-mannered and kind-natured companion, accompanied James everywhere, even playing a pivotal role in introducing him to his future wife, Alizee.

But beyond the glamorous veneer of society engagements and entrepreneurial achievements lies a deeply personal account of James’ battle with depression. Through unconditional love, Ella emerges as an intuitive friend, reading James’ moods and offering solace during his darkest hours, becoming the catalyst for his healing journey, and helping him to see all the good in his life and future.

By turns tender and poignant, Meet Ella is a wonderfully heartwarming celebration of an unbreakable bond and the amazing healing potential of the human-animal connection.

James Middleton is an entrepreneur and dog lover. He has six dogs: four Cocker Spaniels and two Golden Retrievers. The founder of James & Ella, a happiness and wellbeing company for dogs, James is a proud ambassador for the Pets As Therapy charity, and volunteer for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Dogs Trust. Meet Ella is his first book.