Want to know why a dog is man’s best friend?
Someone once offered ~ ‘The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.‘
And so, this tale of ‘Enzo Knight’ begins; he was a ‘Shiba Inu Corgi mix breed.
Enzo must have been a ‘very fast dog’ too because his best friend Ronnie Knight, also known as RK, named him after Enzo Ferrari, the famous racecar driver and builder of those famous cars.
When born, Enzo could comfortably fit into the palm of RK’s hand, but the love he carried for RK and his friends would grow to the size of the universe.
RK laid in bed with him for four days before he died on February 5, 2026; tears have flooded RK’s eyes since then.
Throughout his 15 years on earth, Enzo and RK were practically ‘inseparable’. No greater love between man and dog could be found in these parts.
On Saturday, RK, his grandmother Dottie, his mom Staci, Butchie (a best cousin), Sean (stepdad), and I, had breakfast at the Williamsport American Legion to talk about the life of Enzo.
Enzo’s life remembered.
RK told of many Enzo experiences that dotted the neighborhood. The times he and Enzo went for motorcycle rides as Enzo’s ears blew in the wind and his nose sniffed the air.
Fishing journeys on the Potomac River in a kayak, and pictures of Enzo standing on a rock in the middle of the river; he was much better company than any fisherman.
Enzo, for sure, was a man about town.
But one day, he did get a little mischievous.
While visiting a nearby lady neighbor with cancer, Enzo was frolicking joyful in her house, licking her kindly and bringing joy to her soul.
And then suddenly Enzo stopped in his tracks and couldn’t move. RK called his dad Ronnie in a panic and told him of Enzo’s behavior; the dad arrived and they took the dog to a vet; they all thought Enzo was having a seizure.
After the exam and blood work was done, the vet announced to RK and family that Enzo was ‘high’ on marijuana.
What?
It must have been likened to one of those ‘highs’ from a 1969 Woodstock concert; time would heal Enzo, but the event would never be forgotten.
This neighbor was taking ‘medicinal marijuana’ to help manage her chemo treatments and Enzo had sampled some from the coffee table and got ‘stoned!’
Today, Enzo’s friends and family can laugh about that memory.
Enzo really was a unique dog.
On Friday evenings you might usually fine Enzo with RK at the ‘dog friendly,’ Potomac Ridge Brewery located in Maryland next to the Shepherdstown Bridge.
I would sometimes meet RK and Enzo there for some chow and libation. Enzo was a most popular patron like some ‘rock’ star!
Cari, a bartender, would normally share with Enzo some pepperoni, an Italian-American creation, and spicy favorite of RK’s best pal.
Sometimes, however, Enzo’s resulting ‘flatulence’ from the pepperoni brought some unusual facial expressions from nearby patrons, including yours truly.
But nonetheless Enzo was immensely liked.
Dottie remembered Enzo’s seven years of Antietam Battlefield walks with her and Linda Knight and Enzo’s ‘protective’ demeanor.
Enzo always enjoyed chasing deer, and lying in the grass and whining while looking at the blue sky above; a truly happy dog.
He loved everyone and enjoyed his stops at the Little Brick coffee shop, where Dorrie would make him his favorite ‘pup cup’ filled with treats.
Enzo would cuddle with some long sleeps with Butchie when RK had to be away; they were like kin hanging out together.
RK’s dad Ronnie and his wife Missy had a real liking for Enzo too. When RK worked in the garage or took short trips, Enzo would always hang out and even slept with the dad in his rocker or with Missy in bed. When a stranger would come around, dad always introduced Enzo as his ‘grandchild.’ Dad told me too that “the whole world loved Enzo.”
After Enzo died in RK’s arms, Dottie went to Osborne’s Funeral home to get him a cross, flowers and balloon for his burial on a scenic Dargan overlook at RK’s dad’s house. Brandy, who works at Osborne’s, would take no money for these items.
And perhaps Mark Twain gave the best compliment when he said, “the dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven”.
Enzo, for sure, was a beloved gentleman who touched many lives.
Thanks for the ‘love’ Enzo.
Enzo on River Rock
