In
Seattle, elderly
Golden Retriever Enzo, too weak to move, is carried outside by his owner, professional race car driver Denny Swift. He promises to always to be there for him. Enzo recalls a
Mongolian belief that the best dogs
reincarnate into men. As he has little time left, he hopes to find Denny again in another life. Years prior, Denny adopts puppy Enzo after a race. Bonding immediately, he names him after
Enzo Ferrari. Denny divides his time between teaching auto racing,
auto racing itself, and caring for Enzo. Denny dreams of racing in
Formula One, as he struggles to support himself driving for
IMSA teams. A year later, Denny meets Eve. Although Enzo disapproves, they begin dating. Enzo envies their blossoming relationship, until one day Eve tells him she loves Denny, which he accepts. Denny and Eve marry the following year at her parents' mansion. Her mother Trish is supportive, but her father Maxwell disapproves. Eve soon becomes pregnant. At Christmas, Denny is invited to drive for
Team Penske in the
24 Hours of Daytona in late January, shortly before the due date. Eve insists he go, believing it is important for his career. The baby comes early, at home, halfway through the race as Enzo watches Denny on TV. When Enzo meets their newborn Zoë, Eve tells him to always protect her. A day later, when Denny meets Zoë, he reveals his co-driver crashed in the last laps, but hopes more races will come. Eve's parents visit more frequently, and Maxwell confronts Denny on the dangers of racing, now he is a father. Denny swears always to put safety first, even if he loses every race. Years pass and Enzo finds family life idyllic, while Denny spends prolonged periods away racing. He is invited to race at
Laguna Seca, but is hesitant as he feels his career is stagnating. Enzo is shocked that Denny is considering quitting racing. Eve falls gravely ill, which Enzo detects through a change in her odour. Diagnosed with
brain cancer, she and Zoë move in with Eve's parents during her treatment. As the cancer progresses, Eve tells Enzo she does not fear death. Enzo watches Eve die. At Eve's funeral, accusing Denny of putting racing before his family, Maxwell demands
custody of Zoë and threatens to sue if Denny does not comply. Furious at his insinuation of negligence, Denny attempts to leave. Maxwell grabs him and Denny shoves him away, causing Maxwell to fall and allegedly break a rib. Reporting the incident to the police, Denny is arrested on a
4th-degree assault charge. If he loses the case, he faces three months incarceration plus permanent loss of custody of Zoë. Continuing racing,
Ferrari offers Danny a job in
Maranello, testing prototypes. He declines due to his court case, but promises to accept if he wins. Frustrated, Denny goes jogging in the rain with Enzo, who has slowed in his advanced age and falls behind. Enzo attempts to follow him crossing the street but is hit by a car. Denny rushes him to the vet and drains his savings to pay for the emergency treatment. Financially and emotionally exhausted, Denny signs an out-of-court settlement, giving up custody of Zoë for visitation and erasing the assault charge. However, Enzo destroys the legal document, inspiring Denny to fight. At the trial, a conflicted Trish admits she did not see Denny assault Maxwell. With the charges dropped, Denny accepts the position with Ferrari. When Maxwell and Trish come to Zoë's ninth birthday party, Denny forgives them both, wanting them in Zoë's life. Over the next few weeks, Enzo's health rapidly deteriorates. Realizing his best friend is dying, Denny races him around the track for his first and only time. Lamenting he will not be able to accompany his family in Italy, Enzo accepts the good life he has had and looks forward to his new one, hoping to become reincarnated as a human. Eight years later, the now successful
Formula One driver for
Scuderia Ferrari Denny, lives in Italy with Zoë. After a practice session, a young fan with golden hair approaches him for an autograph, introducing himself as Enzo. Denny smiles, saying he reminds him of an old friend, and suggests he return when he is ready to race. == Cast ==