The Gift of Jazzy [Hardcover]

Cindy Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2003

This is the true story of a savvy, seemingly tough columnist who could take on Clintons, Bushes, VIPs from New York to Hollywood--but is taken prisoner by the love of a tiny Yorkie who taught her more about joy and survival than any human could have.
After The New York Post's Cindy Adams lost her husband Joey, finding a new companion was the last thing on her mind. But one day, an unnanounced visitor brought just that, in the form Cindy least expected: a dog named Jazzy. Although Cindy had never considered herself a dog lover before, Jazzy quickly moved from unwelcome surprise to her closest family member. Cindy brings her famous wit, smarts and taste for celebrity dish to the page in recounting her hilarious first year with Jazzy--which gave her a new leash on life.This book will touch anyone who's ever lost someone dear.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Some writers are so careful with their prose that it seems each sentence has been crafted with a thoughtful combination of precision and grace. Then there's Cindy Adams. A New York Post columnist for 20 years, Adams is like a slap where a kiss is expected; she doesn't want to build a house of words-she wants to blow one down. And huff and puff she does in this small memoir about receiving a Yorkshire terrier as a gift after her husband's death. After explaining why she named the dog "Jazzy" (because of his frantic, jazzed-up energy), Adams details the pup's tendency to piddle on clothes and his propensity for getting Adams into tricky situations, e.g., getting locked into a hallway with Imelda Marcos. Delivered with Adams's rapid-fire, detail-free style, these adventures are wearying at first, but the book begins to do to the reader what the dog, predictably, does to its owner: charms through sheer force of will and sweet bumbling. Although Adams chronicles what it's like to be a new widow, she also recognizes the absurdity of finding comfort in a teensy dog that likes bones from Gallagher's steakhouse and drinks Poland Spring in a posh New York apartment. This self-consciousness, mixed with Adams's descriptions of truly humorous incidents, make the book a guilty little treat, gobbled up in one bite on those nights when all that carefully crafted prose seems a bit too thoughtful, and decidedly unjazzy.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Married since the age of 16 to comedian Joey Adams, New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams found herself very much alone when he died after a long illness. In the aftermath of his death, an unexpected condolence gift arrived--a Yorkshire terrier puppy. In her familiar staccato style, the outspoken New Yorker relates the story of her glamorous life with her husband, his illness and death, and how this little puppy helped her through her grieving process. The bereaved widow is initially doubtful about keeping her new pet, but soon finds the distraction of learning to care for the affectionate and mischievous Jazzy and the process of making room in her life for him bring her joy and renewed hope. Adams does a lot of name-dropping throughout this brief book, which is a bit distracting, and it seems impossible any learned adult would know so little about caring for a pet, but this rather upbeat story may prove helpful to others coping with loss. Kathleen Hughes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (February 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031227307X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312273071
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Someone to love as well as to love you, February 20, 2004

By 

L. L Teuling "meloroze" (McAllen, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gift of Jazzy (Hardcover)

The passing of Cindy Adams' husband Joey is heart wrenching and it was understandably hard on her. No matter how sick a loved one is, and no matter how much "logic" says that they are better off to be loosed from all that suffering, there is something in us that still doesn't want to see the person go. I also believe that we need to GIVE love as well as receive it. And when Jazzy, a precious Yorkshire Terrier, appeared in Cindy's life it was somebody for her to love. Not a replacement -- but a genuine and healthy outlet for love and affection.

It is impossible for any true dog lover not to identify with this story. I was single when I got Macho, my Boston Terrier, and as important as it was to have someone love me, it did as much good or more to have someone TO LOVE, and Macho was definitely that, just as Jazzy was for Cindy Adams. And when Macho went to Doggy Heaven and I adopted Barbie (my Chihuahuah mix) I never expected that she would replace the dog I lost -- but it was an opportunity to love someone and to give. And while I can't read Cindy Adams' mind, I'll bet that Jazzy filled the same place in her life. It was wonderful to read about her love for this little animal and to know that many other people feel the same way.

I've not read anything "(yet) about Jazzy's passing -- I'll probably cry like a little kid when I do. Cindy --if you're reading this, do consider getting yourself another dog! It won't replace Jazzy, but as with him, it will be another very worthy outlet for love and affection.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I ever read., December 20, 2003

By 

Cindy (Wichita Falls, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gift of Jazzy (Hardcover)

I have just finished reading this book for the second time, and I will probably read it again sometime. I was crying one minute and laughing out loud the next. Don't let any bad reviews cause you not to read it, its really a great book, I couldn't put it down.I was so hoping for a sequel to Jazzy, but I just read about his death. Bless his heart, he was precious and adorable.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An endearing story that I read in a few hours, April 5, 2003

By 

Barbara (Los Altos, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gift of Jazzy (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book and found it to be heartwarming as Cindy experienced a huge loss with the passing of her husband and as she redirected her love to a new little guy (Jazzy). Kinda made me a little sick about how indulgent she is toward the dog with the gourmet meals warmed up specially for him and all the toys and special clothing. A bit silly in that sense. But the heartbreak of watching her husband ebb away in his last years, a little poochy pampering is okay.