James Middleton On Why He Believes ‘We Have a Lot To Learn From Dogs’ (Exclusive)

James Middleton understands the profound joy and support a dog can offer its owner.

In his searingly honest new memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, Middleton pays tribute to his late cocker spaniel Ella, who died last year. The book not only celebrates their deep bond but also highlights how Ella became his emotional lifeline during his darkest moments.

Middleton, 37, the younger brother of Kate Middleton, has been open about his struggle with depression. He recalls how seeing Ella one traumatic night in 2017 helped steer him away from suicidal thoughts.

A strong advocate for dogs as a form of therapy, Middleton tells PEOPLE, “An ambition [of mine] is to get dogs to be on a prescription from doctors because I think there is an undeniable amount of things that dogs can do for us.”

“[They] get us up in the morning and outside. It’s incredible what it can do for us if you don’t mentally want to do it, but you’re doing it for something else,” he continues.”

Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life is out in the U.S. on Sept. 24. Middleton shared with PEOPLE that, since his journey, he and his family have become more open about discussing their mental health.

“We have a lot to learn from dogs, which is that they live every day as today. They’re not thinking about yesterday,” he says. “They’re not annoyed about yesterday or worrying about the future. They’re living in the moment. If we all focus on that a little bit more then I think we will be happier.” 

On a late summer afternoon in Bucklebury, Middleton’s deep connection with his dogs is evident, showcasing his remarkable talent and natural rapport with them.

Welcoming this visitor to a park near where James and his sisters, Kate, 42, and Pippa Matthews, 41, grew up in the English countryside of Bucklebury, Berkshire, the frequent four-legged stars of his Instagram eagerly bound out as he opens the back of his Land Rover Defender. Two golden retrievers, Mabel and Isla, along with four working cocker spaniels, Inka, Luna, Zulu, and Nala, leap and dash excitedly around their guest, their glossy coats shimmering in the light summer drizzle.

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Though lively, they are never disruptive or aggressive. Shortly after stepping into the office, Middleton pours them fresh water and calmly directs them to settle down, which they do obediently, curling up in a relaxed, haphazard bundle.

These are special dogs. All are descendants of his first two dogs, his family pet Tilly and, of course, Ella (who was mom to Kate and Prince William‘s first dog Lupo). In the book, Middleton shares how Ella not only inadvertently introduced him to his future wife, Alizee Thevenet—after wandering over to her in a Chelsea bar—but also how he believes Ella sensed Alizee’s pregnancy before they knew. Their son, Inigo, who turns one in October.

“Dogs have this fantastic sort of intuition,” the entrepreneur who runs the ethical dog food company James & Ella, tells PEOPLE. “They know things before we do. I’m sort of absolutely certain that she knew that my wife was pregnant. And that in times of timing, now is the time to slip off, so to speak.”

Read PEOPLE’s exclusive excerpt of Middleton’s Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.

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