About

Hi, I am Cloudy!

Join my adventures

Do you love going on adventures as much as I do?
When I was rescued, I didn’t know about adventures and what that really meant. I was afraid and unsure about the world. Who would truly love me the way I am? I looked different with my crooked nose and my tongue hanging out of my mouth all the time. Could I just be me?

The moment I realised ‘I am perfect the way I am’ and that everyone who loves me loves me EXACTLY as I am, my heart smiled big and never stopped smiling! Do you know that you can feel it deep within when your heart is happy? Its true! It’s the most cloudnificent feeling ever! When you follow your heart, life is one big, beautiful adventure.

About the author

Irene van Raadshooven lives with her husband Robert, dogs, and horses in the Netherlands. She spends most of her time with the dogs; each one has their own unique needs and experience life in different ways. In her spare time, Irene enjoys spending time in nature, to read, write, draw and paint.

Irene’s beloved dog, Belle, passed away on April 25, 2017. In her memory, Irene founded Little Belle’s Magical Sanctuary in August 2017. The Sanctuary gives senior and differently-abled dogs a forever home and a high quality of life. Irene’s mission is this: all dogs, regardless of age, illness or disability, have the right to live a happy, full life and receive the care and unconditional love they need so that they can live their best lives exactly as they are.

Cloudy joined the family in January 2018. Irene first met Cloudy in Spain; it was a meeting that changed both their lives. Cloudy’s exuberant and indomitable spirit brightened Irene’s life as well as the lives of thousands of friends around the world. Cloudy inspired Irene to write this children’s book.

This book and the Sanctuary are Belle and Cloudy’s legacy.

You can learn more about the Sanctuary here: www.littlebellesmagicalsanctuary.org
Irene also wrote a book about Little Belle’s inspiring story:
www.littlebelle.nl
.

About the illustrator

Sarah-Leigh Wills, also known as the ‘Happy Designer’, has been designing, creating and illustrating children’s books for almost twenty years, with over six hundred beautifully illustrated books to her credit, and still counting! Schooled in graphic design and attaining her degrees at Falmouth University, Sarah-Leigh has won several awards for her creations. Her work was featured at the London Design Festival in 2007, the same year she founded her own company – Happydesigner.
Having a child-like imagination and thinking and living in pictures, Sarah-Leigh has a unique way of visualising everything she is commissioned to complete. She is becoming increasingly recognised worldwide for her creativity and innovation, as well as the fun and energy she brings to every project.

Many of the books that Sarah-Leigh has worked on have included animals as the main characters, and she has loved every single one of them, but she says that reading Cloudy’s story and bringing him to life in an illustrated book was a little extra-special for her. Lots of the animals in her life have been rescued, some having experienced trauma of various kinds, so working on Cloudy’s book resonated with Sarah-Leigh on several levels, and seeing the project come together was extremely pleasing.

You can learn more about her here : https://www.happydesigner.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s Cloudy’s story?

Handsome Cloudy, a mini-pincher cross, was found at the side of a road out in the countryside of Spain. He was in very bad shape, unable to walk or move. Cloudy was emaciated and suffered from bad skin and a lower jawbone that had deteriorated due to gum disease. His nose was crooked on account of the infection in his mouth and his pelvis was broken on both sides. Surgery wasn’t possible and poor Cloudy was in extreme pain.

While driving home from Portugal, Irene became aware of Cloudy’s plight and made a detour to Spain in order to meet him. That meeting changed their lives forever; it was love at first sight!

At home and under the care and love of his new family, Cloudy was able to heal and thrive. He blossomed into a curious, strong and healthy boy who enjoyed a full and long, happy life; a true miracle!

3. Where does the word ‘Cloudnificent’ come from?

Cloudy looked at the world with wonder! He possessed a charming curiosity that took him on many magnificent adventures with his family… which led to the coining of a new term, all his own: Cloudnificent!

2. Is Cloudy still alive?

At the end of August 2022, Cloudy earned his angel wings. Though he has passed from his earthly form, he is never forgotten. His joyful presence is still felt every day by those who loved him.

4. Who is Cloudy’s family?

Cloudy is a member of ‘Little Belle’s Family’. Cloudy’s family started Little Belle’s Magical Sanctuary in honour of his ‘fur sister’ Belle. Belle was a puppy mill survitor, a little dog who had been through much and so inspired them. After Little Belle’s passing, Irene was heartbroken. She traveled to Portugal and it was on her way home that she learned of Cloudy’s plight and rerouted her journey through Spain in order to meet him. Irene has always believed it was Belle that led her to Cloudy; it was Cloudy that helped to heal her broken heart and fill her life with joy again.

You can find more information about Cloudy’s family here: www.littlebellesmagicalsanctuary.org