Prologue: my darkest night -- No creature too small -- A tiny sightless bundle -- An audience of two billion -- Newborns, and a calamity at Bucklebury -- Ella's royal walkabout -- My descent into the abyss -- A spark of light in the darkness -- A Christmas epiphany -- Ella plays Cupid -- The healing power of dogs -- A father's blessing... and a proposal -- A Highland Loch-down... and a home of our own -- To love and to cherish -- Pastures new -- A sadness too deep for words -- A final farewell... and new beginnings -- In loving memory

"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 - adventuring in the Berkshire countryside, tinkering with rusty farm machinery, performing locum care to 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 when James was just twenty, to attending royal weddings and being guests at Highgrove and Sandringham, their journey is marked by love, loyalty, and unexpected twists of fate. Ella, the 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." --