ENZO'S LAST JOURNEY | |
On 6 November (in OZ), Sue writes: ENZO'S JOURNEY
The final page is turned.
On Saturday, 3 November 2007, Enzo - our great gentle courageous giant - was set free. As his great heart quieted with two soft final breaths, Atia and I held him - and let him go with love, our own hearts in a thousand fragments.
Free of pain, free of the despair and loss that so damaged his trust yet did not destroy his resilience, free in the knowledge that he came back to his beloved family for a time, and now free to wander at will through the High Wild Country amid the joyous Airespirits who await his coming.
No, it was not long enough. A bare seven months in which to live again with those he most loved in this world.
What is there to say? very little, I suppose, other than that his journey was achieved against a thousand odds, maybe more, yet because of a thousand hearts who cared enough, he lived, and he came home.
For all who have travelled the long long road with Enzo, and grown to love him with an abiding passion, even knowing you would never meet him nor look into his great deep eyes nor lay your hand on his broad forehead, nor stroke that engaging upright ear, you loved him as your own.
As our own - because Atia, in the midst of her own inconsolable grief, also gives him freely to us, her extended family.
And that is Enzo's final gift to us. He gave us the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see that nothing is impossible, that if belief is strong and goals are clear, the way forward will be found.
It is my hope that the very name of Enzo may symbolise steadfast courage, that it will forever be engraved on many hearts and in many homes around the world, and that the brightness of his Star will never diminish, no matter where in the heavens we may look.
I said once that Wombat Bend would never be the same without Enzo. That is true. Yet I can see him now on the far side of the billabong, one ear alert, eyes bright with love and even a gleam of mischief, a shining aura outlining his strong body - as surely as I saw him thus only a few months ago.
There are many great Airedales in this world, and all of them belong in our hearts, none greater, none lesser, all deeply loved and cherished. And Enzo, the quiet Spirit, would not have it otherwise, I know.
Travel swiftly and safely, beloved Enzo. Your candle will burn forever, and your Star light the way for others who follow.
You are loved more than life itself -
Sue & Atia
JACKIE McGUINNESS:
Hugs to Atia and Maia
There is no more to be said; Sue said what we all have thought and felt in
our hearts and I could not have said it better.
PAULA:
Oh, Sue, Atia, and Maia . . . I am so sorry that you didn't get more time with that dear boy . . . he will be sorely missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
CAROL WALKER:
Sue,
Thank you for all you've done to bring us Enzo's story. It has enriched many lives. It is a story of hope and courage, one that we should never forget. Maybe we need an Enzo day, to remember him and all of those other Airedales that have so touched our lives but have left us. Please give Atia and Mai big hugs from us & let them know that they are not grieving Enzo's passing alone.
MARE MOORE:
Knowing this day might very likely come sooner than later for our beloved Enzo since first learning of his cancer, doesn't make it any easier to type through this heavy curtain of tears...please know that our hearts, thoughts and prayers, are with you sweet Sue, Atia and Maia.
Fly free brave Enzo, fly free, soar high!
Wishing love and peace to all.
HEATHER SCHARBACH:
I deliberately read this message last this morning, as I had a strong feeling when I saw the subject what it would contain.
Now, with tears running down my face, I'm pondering the effect of this Airedale on my life.
Thank you Sue, for sharing his story, for giving us the ability to share, without being there, with your great descriptions. I'm having problems with words to say.
JEANNE COMBO:
It is with a deeply sad heart that I read Sue's message. Knowing that Enzo's time was limited still makes it no less difficult to fathom that he is no longer with us all. Through Sue, we knew him; came to love him and respect and love all those who played an important role in his life, his return to Atia and his time with Sue &; Bill. Surely, he held on to his life in order to be reunited with his family and his pack. God bless you, Sue and all those who helped bring this special AireBoy home.
I can only imagine now that Enzo is racing thru the heavens, pain free, joyful and looking back and saying, with a huge Airedale grin and that jaunty ear waving at us, "Thank you. Thank you to all who loved me enough to bring me home."
And thank you, Enzo, for allowing us to be part of your journey and reminding us of the true meaning of purpose, commitment and "staying power".
MARY BRABENDER:
The simplicity and beauty of this story of Enzo in this chapter touches me deeply. Many people the world around share this story too. Thank you for all you do to connect all these threads . . . .
MAUREEN SCOTT:
And so Enzo's story is written but is not truly at an end. The ties forged between us all through his rescue will endure, as will the memory of this brave dog and his remarkable rescue.
God speed, Enzo. We will look for your sparkling star in the heavens.
With great sympathy for Atia and her daughter as well as much admiration for Sue who did, indeed, bring Enzo home in time . . . .
KATHI:
Sue, I sit here crying, feeling a true sense of loss of our valiant friend, Enzo. Please send my deepest condolences to Atia & Maia. Thank you for all you did for Enzo, and for bringing him to us via your wonderfully-descriptive emails. Hugs to you all . . .
BOB ANDERSON:
Thank you for making it possible to be with Enzo throughout his great odyssey! Once again, I am struck by the deep resources of Airepeople to whom nothing is impossible when it can be faced with neverending love & commitment!
PAUL DIGGINS:
Enzo - I am thinking of you sweet boy.
Your journeys are now completed and you have settled into that permanent home which is safe in the province of our hearts.
So many of us drew inspiration from you - You are a quiet hero and we adore you. Your ability to transcend distance, language and time makes you a permanent part of all of us who heard your name.
In a world where six degrees of separation is common, you are uncommon because there was nothing that separated you from those who knew of your name and your story. For those of us who never had circumstance or opportunity to touch your big beautiful head or feel the mark of your oversized paws on the face of the earth, please know that the impression you left on us makes us cycle between the concave, doubled-over feeling of grief at your loss an to an arm-stretching convex stretch of pride at your achievements.
Rest easy, dear friend - you have accomplished so much and your spirit of sweet, gentle kindness endures.
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CONTINUE WITH THE SAGA OF ENZO OF CZECH REPUBLIC & AUSTRALIA HERE