By Janet McAfee
I arrived at the remote and crowded San Bernardino County shelter at Devore on June 16, 2010. I had recently learned about the tragic outcome for many of our homeless pets in our nation’s public shelters. Operating then as an independent rescuer (prior to Loving All Animals) I picked up a dog needing rescue when I spotted a handsome Maltipoo boy. His tail was docked indicating he was from a breeder. It was estimated he was 1 year of age.
A local well known rescue group asked me to pull the dog for them. However, there was confusion when I arrived at their facility, and I ended up taking him home. A group of us animal lovers were reading a wonderful book, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” (later made into a movie about a dog called Enzo Ferrari). Enzo Ferrari was an Italian racing driver and founder of Ferrari. My new boy was the fastest runner at dog parks, so it seemed a fitting name for him.
Enzo also had a habit of running away. One Sunday morning I was at my Mom’s house in Upland heading to her church for the blessing of the pets. Enzo was in my arms being placed in the car when he leaped and ran down the street at top speed. I ran after him but was no match for his speed and hailed down a passing truck to chase him. The fleeing pup only stopped short when a car almost hit him. Enzo was my entertaining troublemaker. My English Mom loved dogs but was very displeased when Enzo drank her tea. He managed to get up on her kitchen counter and help himself to food on the stove. He was a nuisance when he licked the legs of guests wearing shorts. He was more independent than my female dogs, confident and not looking to me for reassurance.
Enzo was a “man’s dog” clearly preferring men to women. One time he ran away and arrived at the fire department with the guys. The firemen quickly contacted me as he is microchipped and wore an engraved ID tag. He soon learned the command “Come”. He loved to work out at the indoor agility field at the Venus De Fido dog park (now closed), and we are pictured working out there in the attached photo.
One day we encountered a dog who was his twin at the Palm Desert Civic Center dog park. That dog’s owner paid a breeder $8,000 for him! Enzo proved that “Rescue Dogs Rock” and encouraged more people to adopt from shelters. At least 25% of the dogs at shelters appear to be pure breeds.
The downside of being a pure breed was apparent when his vet, Dr. Greenhouse at the Banning Vet Clinic, determined his breeding made his diagnoses of dental strangles and diabetes insipidus more likely. He needed frequent dental cleanings and meds for the diabetes that was not diet related. Homemade meals included steamed broccoli and fresh Cod fish. Enzo peed more frequently, and I nicknamed him Mr. Peabody.
Enzo loved traveling by car and going on daily walks. I would let him off leash close to home so he could race at top speed to the front door. Time passed and he became very hard of hearing in the past year. He continued to run until his vision became impaired. Enzo still loved his walks through the neighborhood, peeing on many shrubs enroute. When he turned 16 years of age in June his wonderful homeopathic vet, Dr. Rachel Jones cleaned Enzo’s teeth without anaesthesia.
At summer’s end, he slowed down. One of my colleagues is a veterinary assistant and assured me he had a quality of life as long as he was eating and not in severe pain. Enzo loved mealtime. On September 2, 2025, Enzo declined to eat breakfast. Now blind and deaf he was running into things. That day I had a cardiology appointment in Pasadena for another dog, and arranged for a pet sitter, “Uncle John”, to be here. John held Enzo on his lap and when he turned on the tv he noticed Enzo perked up and appeared to watch. He passed away several hours later just before I arrived home.
The tears flowed, my heart ached, but I have treasured memories of the adventures with my little man. The joy from my other pups brings great comfort.
Enzo in “The Art of Racing in the Rain” comes to realize that despite adversity and separations, family (including dogs!) will always be together thanks to the love they share. Surely these angels in fur who teach us humans how to live in the moment and how to love unconditionally go to heaven when they leave this earth. My precious Enzo, so full of love for life, I believe we will meet again!
