Enzo: The Joy We Didn’t Know We Needed

Sometimes the right dog finds you when you least expect it. That is exactly what happened with Enzo.

We adopted Enzo in 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic. I was 20 years old at the time, and my family and I already had Roxy for many years. She was happy and loved, but we thought she might enjoy having a companion.

One day, my mom, my brother, and I decided to visit the Carson Animal Shelter to start looking. My mom told us not to assume that we would find another dog right away. She said it might take time to find the right one. Luckily, she was wrong.

Meeting Enzo

The shelter was filled with dogs of all ages and breeds, each one hoping for a second chance. The barking was loud and constant, and it was overwhelming to walk down each aisle wondering if any of them would connect with us. Then I saw Enzo.

He was a small six-month-old puppy with soft golden brown fur. He was the only dog not barking. He sat quietly in his kennel with his ears down, looking sad and shy. The moment I saw him, I knew there was something about him.

I called my mom and brother over and asked if we could see him. A shelter worker brought him outside to the play area so we could see how he acted around us. The second he stepped outside, it was like he came alive. He went from quiet and timid to full of energy and happiness, playing with a stuffed hippo toy and wagging his tail nonstop.

Within minutes, he was climbing on our laps, giving kisses, and showing us who he really was. We knew right away he was the one.

His Story

While we were filling out the adoption paperwork, the shelter staff told us a bit about Enzo’s past. He had been found wandering the streets alone and was believed to have been abandoned. They thought he was what many called a “COVID puppy,” adopted during the pandemic when people were home, then left behind once life returned to normal.

The staff believed his previous owners might have abandoned him because he was sick. They told us he might have kennel cough, but it later turned out to be pneumonia.

The first month we had him was difficult. We had to keep him somewhat separate from Roxy while he recovered. It broke my heart to see him weak and struggling after all he had already been through. But even when he was sick, his spirit never faded. With medication, care, and lots of love, he slowly became strong and healthy.

He also developed his love for bananas and rice during that time, since those were some of the snacks we gave him while he was recovering.

Bringing Him Home

Once the paperwork was complete, my brother and I sat with him, completely in love. His original name was Nugget, which fit his color, but my brother suggested Rocket because of how fast he was running around. I said the name Enzo, and it instantly felt right. We all agreed that was his name.

He even got to bring his stuffed hippo home with him. On the drive home, he sat on my brother’s lap the entire way, calm and happy.

When we introduced him to Roxy, she was unsure at first. She has always been more sassy and independent, while Enzo is affectionate and full of energy. Over time, she warmed up to him, and now they are the best of friends.

Yin and Yang

Roxy and Enzo balance each other perfectly. She is strong and stubborn, and he is soft and playful. They complement one another in every way, and I have loved watching their bond grow.

Roxy is now 12 and Enzo is 4. Seeing them together reminds me every day why I love rescue dogs and why The Pitbull Diaries exists.

Enzo may have started out as the quiet puppy sitting alone in a kennel, but now he is the heart of our home.