Then you came along. You. People we don’t even know. You stepped in to save our family. Euthanizing our Enzo was unthinkable. Thanks to you and Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund, what looked like it was going to be a horrible time in our lives became instead one of the most inspiring. Thank you. -Enzo’s Mom
Have you ever felt good about rescuing an animal, only to later realize that they were rescuing you right back?
That’s how it has been with our Enzo.
We went to meet Enzo at the shelter after my son lost his emotional support animal, a Chihuahua he had had for six years. This shelter didn’t let you wander among the dog cages. Instead, you looked at pictures in a book. We were attracted to Enzo because of his cute little bat ears. My son wanted another small dog because he had such a wonderful experience with his last one.
When Enzo was brought out to meet us we were shocked at how extremely skinny he was. We looked at him and said, “he really looks like he’s in distress.” I felt like we couldn't leave him there.
And so our journey together began. Turns out my son and he instantly bonded even at the shelter. I knew he would be a perfect fit!
And he has been. He gives my son a reason to live. My son has had some emotional and mental challenges, but he knows that Enzo depends on him. He gives my son something to care for and about. And Enzo in turn watches out for my son.
In fact, that silly dog sits at the top of our steps— straight and tall—and with those pointy little ears, he looks like Batman watching over our house and everyone in it.
He often makes us laugh. Especially when Enzo is wearing his PJs, which he does most nights, and my son tells him it is time to take them off. The negotiations are hilarious and usually involve some growling—on both their parts. Enzo loves wearing his PJs!
I love watching them together
When Enzo stopped being boisterous and bouncy—and even stopped cuddling— I knew there was a problem. I spent all I had at the vet getting X-rays that identified that our boy had stuff stuck in his gut.
How could that be? He had no toys and we’d always taken precautions to make sure there was nothing around that he could chew. Our vet made a guess that when he was on the street starving he ate pieces of a rubber bowl that had been inside him for a long while. They were now moved to a place where they were cutting off his blood flow, which would make his gut die.
When I heard what the surgery would cost, I was frantic. It was more than I make in two weeks of work.
But how could my son go through losing another emotional support dog, after just having lost one a couple months prior? And how could I go through losing my cuddle bug?
When I returned injured from my tour overseas my other dog was there for me but now I really count on them both.
Then you came along. You. People we don’t even know. You stepped in to save our family. Euthanizing our Enzo was unthinkable. Thanks to you and Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund, what looked like it was going to be a horrible time in our lives became instead one of the most inspiring.
