Animals bring so much extra to our lives. Loki is my first dog, and it’s certainly been a learning experience. As much as he can be a pain in my butt, I also love him. And I love books centered around pets. Garth Stein did one better– he has a dog as his narrator.
Enzo is part lab, and part terrier on his dad’s side (or so he thinks). When he’s a puppy, he’s chosen by Denny. Denny is young and single, and Enzo loves him immediately. They bond over take out food, videos of old Formula One races, and some of Denny’s professional races. It’s an ideal life for Enzo. And then Denny meets Eve.
Enzo resents that Denny’s attention is now divided, but he comes to love Eve as much as Denny does. Eventually, the pair gets married and has a daughter, Zoe. When Zoe is born, Denny is out of town racing, and Eve gives Enzo his biggest task: protect Zoe, always.
Life is going well, if a little strained– Denny is often out of town for races, and Eve hasn’t been feeling quite herself. When everything finally escalates, the truth is found out: Eve has brain cancer, and isn’t expected to make it. Enzo knows he has to keep caring for Denny and Zoe, just like he promised. However, his ability to do that is tested when Denny finds himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit.
There’s a lot of drama in this book. It hits you in the heart. Not just because of family tragedy, and there’s plenty of that. Enzo has so much personality and so much desire to be a person. He wants to talk to Denny, talk to him about races, give his best friend advice. Enzo is forever cursing his lack of thumbs, so he loves Denny the best way he can: unconditionally and always.
Get your tissues ready. You’ll need them.
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