The Gift of Jazzy

by Cindy Adams

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 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.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Biography, Animals, Dogs

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Danny Housley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, I see a lot of complaints about her dropping names and bragging. She's a gossip columnist (and one of the best) keep that in mind while reading.

[Lisa Mendiaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs are my passion and I couldn't put this book down. It' about a famous New York columnist, Cindy Adams who while grieving over the death of her husband has been gifted a puppy, whom she names Jazzy. Cindy can't even keep a plant alive and the thought of taking care of another living creature is daunting. Cindy knows every celebrity as she is a celebrity writer. The book tells many amuzing tales of her interviews many with Jazzy by her side. Every dog lover will be able to relate to the hijinks of Jazzy. This is a true story, and really shows how the love and bond between a human and dog can help overcome just about anything thrown our way.

[Hank Stuever · Rating 3 out of 5]

File under "books I read in the course of an assignment" (in this case writing a profile of Cindy Adams in March 2003 for the Washington Post.)

[Lisa Romansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Cindy Adam's memoior about her first Yorkie that she got right after her husband died. It is about how he helped her get through the death of her husband, and about all the funny little tricks and antics and trouble that puppies/Yorkies get in to. As a Yorkie owner myself I loved this book.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book about gossip columnist Cindy Adams' dog Jazzy and the love she has for him. It is apparent throughout the book that she loved her husband, then transfers that love to her dog. All dog lovers/parents can relate (except she is super rich and provides Jazzy with ravishing things). A perfect book for dogs lovers to read in bed with their dog children.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

An endearing story of a lonely lady and a sweet dog. A new relationship.

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute read especially if you are a dog lover like me. Fast paced-I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. A fun and quick read.

[Nichole Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

[Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was misnamed. Really, not about a dog even though he is mentioned occasionally. This book is all about Cindy Adams and her big list of famous names and their conversations they may have had. Every chance she could include a conversation, then she wrote about it. Probably her editor told her she had to put in more about Jazzy, the dog, so on the rewrite that's what they had to do. I'm guessing.
I am a dog lover and could care less about big shots. That's why I didn't even know who Cindy Adams was. I didn't know her dead husband either. Never heard of them. I probably would have enjoyed this book if she could cut out all the conversations she had with famous people and only left in the parts that were about Jazzy, but then that would be a couple of paragraphs and that isn't even a story, let alone a book.
Dog lovers, don't waste your time.

[Jan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little Jazzy is just what Cindy Adams needs after losing her husband, Joey. Anyone who owns a dog, especially a little Yorkie, will definitely find themselves nodding their head as they read this book. Lots of name dropping of celebrities and dignitaries from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s as well. Reminds me a bit of watching Rona Barrett's gossip as a child.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Cindy Adam’s but in the words of Joan Collins, ‘I am not a dog person.’ Or an animal person. Regardless, I wanted to love this book because I heard Cindy’s iconic voice in my head as I read, but I just couldn’t. Jazzy is that spoiled brat of a kid whose parents never fault. No thanks. 3 stars only because it’s Cindy.

[Joyce Nieuwesteeg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there were some humorous moments in the story, most of the time I was annoyed that Jazzy was totally undisciplined and Cindy did nothing about it. The story was disappointing, especially after reading several books about really remarkable dogs. Jazzy was just a very spoiled dog.

[Brandi True · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were 1/2 stars because I did like this one pretty well... it was an interesting book and I love to peak into a persons life when its completely different from my own.
Its a good, easy read. Just not quite enough for a 4 star rating

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written and narrated by the gossip columnist wife of the late comedian Joey Adams. She was given a Yorkie when Joey died, and she dishes about him and other celebrities. Fun, touching, light, and funny.

[Jodee Whitworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally finished my book I got at the Christmas book exchange.

It wasn’t really my kind of book. I’m not into spoiled dogs OR gossip columns OR celebrity life.

[Patty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very slow boring read.

[Shane Fritz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gossip columnist tells about her life, losing her husband, gaining a tiny puppy that changed her life.

[Taylor Field · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cindy Adams is rude and pompous at times, but her story of unexpected love is genuine and heartwarming. I was expecting this book to be more about the dog than it was, but I found myself laughing out loud at some of Jazzy's antics. Many of the stories were obviously embellished (and there's a note stating that in the beginning), and I enjoyed the simpler stories of Jazzy causing trouble more than those that were clearly tweaked for humor's sake. There were also some weird tense changes, although I hate to be one of ~those~ people by pointing it out.

I only picked up this book because it was about a yorkie, and even though it wasn't the best book I've ever read, I'm glad I gave it a shot. It was a quick read, the love Adams had for this dog was relatable, and her descriptions of a yorkie personality were spot on.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cindy Adams is a well known gossip columnist for the NY Post. After the death of her husband of 40 years, friends gifted her with a tiny Yorkshire Terrier who she named Jazzy. She immediately fell in love, bringing him along almost everywhere with her. This book is about the famous people the author associates with and the trouble her puppy gets into at every turn. Number one, the chick has way too much money. Number two, she has absolutely no control over the animal, which was probably a total annoyance to anyone around her. She is not like me. lol Not my cup of tea, but honestly, I read the whole thing because I am nosey. I rated this a 2 out of 5. I'm sure there are others who thought it was a lot funnier than I did.

[Stacey Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This woman loves to brag about her wealth accumulated through a marriage of convenience and her high social status. I am an avid dog lover and have worked in the animal industry as a business owner and professional for the past 7 years. It makes me cringe when pet owners are ignorant as to what pets need to properly be cared for. I'm sure through the life of the dog, she learned, but so far this read has been nothing but her bragging about her Human-infested life and about how poor Jazzy who was dropped on this womans doorstep has done nothing but annoy her. It's just not what I thought it would be. Not entertaining at all.

[Paula Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed Review: When I started this book, it was 5 stars. Laugh Out Loud. I thought of the friends that would love Cindy Adam's acerbic humor. I would have started the review: Not just a dog story, a story of love and mourning, celebrities and laughs. But then after a while, the author's voice began to grate on my nerves, and I just had to stop listening. I think it was too long. But listen to the beginning for sure!

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I always liked Cindy Adams when she did her gossip segment on WNBC in NYC with Sue Simmons. She was this crazy NY lady with big jewelry and a big mouth. I thought maybe this book would be funny, and since I was in the market for a light, summery beach read, this seemed like a good choice. But I got bored very quick reading about her and the dog.

[Kathy McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for dog lovers. Not exciting prose, but it was entertaining. Adams, a columnist for the NY Post, writes about the com fort and love she garnered from a Yorkshire terrier after the death of her husband. She takes the dog everywhere with her and its antics make for fun reading.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Read by the author with a strong NY accent like she was doing comedy routine in the Catskills, but it was very unfunny. Supposedly about how the tiny dog helps her when she is widowed, but it was too much about the author and not about the dog. I repeat, awful!

[Debra · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I loved the stories about Jazzy and found myself laughing hysterically, by the time I finished the book I was sick of the name dropping so prevalent throughout....enough already....you know everyone who is someone but what of the dog....

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any yorkie lover or dog lover in general.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for anyone with a Yorkie looking to normalize their situation. I don't think it is as funny as the author intended, but it is right on!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This woman is totally obsessed with her little dog. An animal lovers non-fiction.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cindy Adams tells the story of how her Yorkie, Jazzy, filled the void her husband left when he died.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too have fallen in love with tiny Yorkies and been a "Mom" to three of them.