Zelda, The Queen of Paris

Zelda is an exquisitely charming tale of redemption through the wiles of a mangy Indian slum dog. Slum dog! Yes. I read this irresistible book in one sitting, and now slum dogs are my favorite breed of mutt. -- John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil A grungy street dog turned world adventurer, with breeding, class and spirit that comes from who knows where, Zelda is always out front, leading the Chutkow clan in this delightful tale from New Delhi to Paris to the wine country of Northern California. This dog's got good karma! -- Richard Mendelson, author of Appellation Napa Valley, Building and Protecting an American Treasure. In the era of Marley and Me and the dozens of imitators who jumped onto the dog memoir bandwagon, this gem stands out... This slum dog who rises above her humble beginnings will win over even the most cynical reader. -- San Francisco Book Review Zelda gained renown in Paris when she helped police apprehend a burglar. Suddenly she was the 'Queen of Paris' and 'the very picture of European refinement.' And yet, writes the author, 'she remained the high-spirited, impulsive Indian street girl, charming, capricious, and totally untamed, just as she had been born to be.' -- Kirkus Reviews Droll and tender. Zelda, Reine de Paris is a delicious dog story but it is far more than that. Behind the portrait of his beloved Zelda, Paul Chutkow takes us inside his journey as a foreign correspondent, as a lover of France, and as a friend of such diverse characters as Mother Teresa, Raymond Aron, the French writer and philosopher, and G rard Depardieu, a beast as shaggy and colorful as Zelda herself. -- The French newsweekly, L'Express This is much more than a dog story. Zelda was a treasured pet of a foreign correspondent, and as a result she was able to rise from an endangered life on the streets of India, to the comforts of Paris and the Napa Valley. This is truly a wonderful, positive book for all who believe in the redemptive powers of relationships, both human and animal. -- Peter J. Cohen, renowned collector of vernacular photography This is a captivating tale that weaves history, the joy of life, food, and raising a family into a gem that will stay with you. This has it all, drama, comedy, the human condition... Finish it in an evening then take your dog for a walk and you'll feel this story. -- Jon Gregory, author of Run for The Money