Zelda the Queen of Paris May Be the Luckiest Dog in the World

Zelda will enchant you as she has enchanted me.

My dog sitter told me about a local author from Napa who had the most amazing adventure with an Indian slum dog. She said this dog traveled continents not through luck, but because of her indomitable spirit, enchanting not only her family but any humans lucky enough to be in her orbit.

I had to read this true story about Zelda who was born as a lowly street dog, scavenging to survive. This girl was lucky enough to cross paths with Paul Chutkow, a journalist stationed in New Delhi, and his pregnant wife, Eda. Zelda’s tale is told from a point of view of deep love, yet related with honesty. She was a real dog, imperfect in her canine incarnation. Yet, like all dogs, perfect in her loyal, devoted soul.

It is almost unbelievable to believe this beggar dog from the slums of New Deli lived the high life in Paris, Sardinia, and finally my town of Napa, California. Reading the section in the book where Paul sees the Napa Valley for the first time gave me chills. My husband and I had just celebrated our anniversary at Bistro Don Giovanni’s, and our next door neighbors not only worked for Robert Mondavi but were his close friends. It made me smile to read all the places I know and love.

Yet, the heroine is Zelda. I am a sucker for dogs, dog books, and dog movies. I am a lover of canines. If you love dogs, adventure, and stories about good people, you need to read Zelda, the Queen of Paris, written by Paul Chutkow and illustrated by Jean-Claude Suarès.