Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… as a dog in Denny Swift’s apartment in Seattle. The man picked Enzo from a farm in Washington where the puppy was born, and Enzo has lived with him ever since. Denny is Enzo’s only master, and they share everything, especially Denny’s love of racing and his love for his family.
Living… in Seattle in the house Denny bought for his family. While they aren’t rich because Denny had to contend with unfortunate circumstances for years, they would be content to just be together.
Profession… pet and guardian of the Swift family. Deeply loyal to the Swifts, Enzo is ever the faithful companion to Denny and the watchful protector of Denny’s daughter, Zoe.
Interests… watching racing on TV, listening to Denny talk about driving a racecar, learning from shows on TV, and observing humanity. He’s also quite interested in being reincarnated as a human.
Relationship Status… single. Enamored with humans, Enzo tends to suppress his doggy instincts. On top of that, he is too busy supporting his master and thinking to have time to find love.
Challenge… getting Denny to understand a dog’s will when he can’t speak like a human. Enzo’s an old dog, and while he loves his family very much, he feels ready to pass on. He would never forget his family if he had a choice, and, in fact, he tries to carve his memories deep into his soul so that he will remember when he is reincarnated as a human. All that’s left is the Master Plan to convince Denny to let him die.
Personality… philosophical, loyal, and self-sacrificing. Enzo has a theory that man’s closest relative is the dog, not the monkey, and his mantra, learned from Denny, is “that which we manifest is before us.” Enzo believes in the Mongolian legend that dogs who are “prepared” will be reincarnated as humans, which is why he seeks death. Yet his loyalty to his master prevents him from dying without his master’s consent. Everything he does is for Denny’s sake.
Get to Know him in...
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Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoe, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoe at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.
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Enzo, a family dog with a near-human soul and a philosopher's mind, evaluates his life through the lessons learned by his human owner, the race-car driver Denny Swift.
