Does anyone have advice for transporting our girl home? Is she likely to be happiest if I sit in the back seat with her? What about bedding etc for in the car? I just want to make sure she is as happy as possible on that first journey as I know we need to gain her trust

I'm sure she'd love to share the back seat with you and will probably snuggle up and go to sleep, or stand up and look out of the window, in which case you could support her going round corners, etc. A rug or dog duvet to protect the seat is probably a good idea. I'm sure you'll work it out on the day and wish you all much happiness together.

My two always travel in the back seat, wearing dog harnesses which hook into the seat belts. They have freedom to move but would be restrained in the event of a crash.