Introduction - Long Journey

Kayla III started her life somewhere in Michigan; I started mine somewhere in Zimbabwe, Africa. Through a series of events in both our lives, we made a connection somewhere in Indianapolis!

Kayla (as she was known as back then) moved south with her owners and spent wasted years chained outside until the RRUS rescued her. Her journey relocated her to Tennessee, then North Carolina to a great foster home. About 5 years ago, I came to the US (all my husband's fault!) and settled down in Wisconsin. However, there were many things about 'home' that I missed - the year-round sunshine, warm weather, no snow (and hence no shoveling), my friends and family, and Duke my African bred RR.

In the months that followed a sad event in my life this year, I finally managed to convince my husband that maybe a dog would be a good companion. So I looked at various websites heavily favoring the RRUS one - no bias, of course! My husband was a bit dubious about "such a big dog" in the house, but the other less appealing options of a small yappy dog squashed the question of the size of my primary choice. So began the connection...with help from Amanda and Carol - thank you!

So, in September, Kayla made the long road trip from NC, and we made the long road trip from WI to meet 'halfway' at Indianapolis, with the result that we headed home the next day with pooch in tow. We soon discovered that she has a lively personality and makes us laugh daily - just the thing I needed.

We also found out that Kayla's most favorite thing in the whole world is FOOD! Then play, then ride in the car, then food, then climb on the sofa, then food, then play, then food, then walk, then food...you get the picture! She has a way of clearly letting you know that she wants something (usually food) - so we decided that "Kayla" just did not suit her personality, so I found a word in the language of the part of Africa that I come from which describes her perfectly - kumbira. It means "asking for"!

So Kumbira, who started life in the mid-west has ended up back in it, and I have a new life in the mid-west with a dog whose original family tree came from the country of my birth. So, I guess you could call us both Afro-Americans! What a long and convoluted journey with a happy ending, well, in this case, a happy beginning.