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James Middleton has shared how “the whole family came to say goodbye” as he buried his therapy dog Ella, who helped him through his battle with depression.
The 35-year-old brother of the Princess of Wales has also revealed how his beloved pet, who died earlier this month aged 15, prevented him from “contemplating suicide” in an article he wrote for The times.
He wrote: ‘I have thought about suicide, but never really contemplated it. My thoughts stopped dead because Ella got in the way.
The entrepreneur, who founded the raw dog food brand Ella & Co, which he named after his late spaniel, explained that “in difficult times” he would go an entire day without speaking to anyone but Ella.
James Middleton announced the death of Ella, who was 15, on Instagram earlier this month.
She also recalled the time she had to bury her therapy dog, saying it took her four hours “because I knew once I was done digging, that would be the last goodbye.”
‘The whole family came to say goodbye. I can’t speak for them, but I think she influenced their lives too,” she added.
James continued: ‘My sisters [Kate and Pippa Middleton] He came to some of my therapy sessions. They have always been there during the difficult moments and they were also by my side in the most difficult moments. For that, I will be forever grateful.
He previously credited the black spaniel with helping him overcome his mental health issues and introducing him to his wife, Alizée Thevenet.
The businessman shared this photo of him cradling Ella, taken just hours before she died.
James has previously described how Ella was the reason he met his wife, Alizée.
James announced Ella’s death in a heartbreaking Instagram post, writing: “It is with great sadness that I announce my dear Ella has passed away.”
‘For 15 years, Ella has been by my side, from my darkest days to my happiest days. I will miss her terribly.
‘She had a very brief illness, ran away into my arms at home and is now buried in the garden next to Tilly. I took this photo just a few hours before she died.
“I’m just trying to stick together to write this and even though I knew this day would come, it doesn’t make it any easier. Good evening my dear Ella, Alizee and the dogs will take good care of me.
He accompanied the message with two photos of Ella, including one he took just hours before she passed away in his arms.
James even started his own raw dog food company, naming it after his beloved dog (pictured).
He previously told followers that Ella helped him overcome depression and “saved his life,” which led him to sign up with Pets As Therapy, a charity that visits dog care settings to help people recover. .
He and Ella had volunteered for the charity for over four years before his death.
James previously described his “really difficult battle” with the proviso: “A few years ago, I was in a very dark and lonely place, existing without purpose or direction, the constant heartbeat anxiety robbing me of any joy, excitement or anticipation. .
‘It was during this time that I realized how much my dogs, in particular [sic] She helped me through a really difficult battle with clinical depression. She saved my life.
Princess Charlotte got her first glimpse of her beloved pet spaniel Orla as she celebrated her seventh birthday with an adorable spring snap. Orla, whose name is of Celtic origin and means “golden princess”, was raised by Kate’s brother, James, and given to the family shortly before the death of her Lupo Spaniel in November 2020.
Until Ella’s death, James and his wife had seven dogs, including a pup from a litter one of their dogs gave birth to late last year.
He previously described how Ella ran up to Alizée in a London club when they first met in 2014.
James went to ‘apologize and bring Ella back’, and his wife mistook him for a waiter. They got married in 2021.
In addition to her own love of spaniels, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s daughter Charlotte was also given an affectionate companion after her uncle gifted her a young dog in 2020.
Princess Charlotte got her first glimpse of her beloved pet spaniel Orla as she celebrated her seventh birthday with an adorable spring snap.
The little princess was seen warmly cuddling her pet dog as she posed in a field of bluebells in a sweet photo taken by the Princess of Wales in Norfolk in May.
Orla, whose name is of Celtic origin and means “golden princess”, was raised by Kate’s brother, James, and given to the family shortly before the death of their Spaniel Lupo in November 2020.
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