http://www.divadawg.com/KumbaRelaxed.jpg
KiaOra King Kumba, CGC, TDI, Certified Service Animal, Rescue Ambassador
Dec 31 1993 - Nov 11 2007
9/11 Kumba passed on to the rainbow bridge, after his bone cancer just got too much for him. He was hobbling bad, but it had gone to his lungs. He wasn't gasping (I would never allow that) but it was time, he lived with such dignity, he deserved to go to the bridge with dignity.
We went for our last walk that morning in the woods, Kumba got to pee on all his favorite trees, and with assistance we went down to the spring fed creek, where he loved to drink from, the sun was shining through the trees and ferns casting little shadows in the water, Kumba saw the shadows and looked at me, so I crouched down, and he layed in the water (only around 2" deep at this time of year) and I 'made the shadows dance' using my fingers and he scratched and 'pounced' in his own way into the dancing shadow into the water, where it splashed up, Diva and Kiss came running down, and they played too, then Kissy licked Kumba's ears, and Diva gave him her famous little butt wiggle in the face, Wicket came down and kissed Kumba and then he got up and we all walked (hobbled) up the bank together - it was a beautiful moment that I will forever remember and even now, even though I remember it with tears, I also smile, it was so so perfect.
Kumba passed away in my arms, with me telling him how much I loved him, and how much he meant to so many. He gave me a kiss and went gently to sleep. He passed with the same digitny in death as he lived his life. Gentle and loving to the very end. God Speed BooBoo.
Thanks to Terry & Gary Dyck for letting Kumba live his final year in Doggie Paradise (no stairs, no city fumes and lots of love), I was with Kumba for approx 2 weeks a month (in between my own chemo treatments), and he was so happy, loved his walks in the woods and Gary spoilt him rotten, they were buds.
On Saturday, Pete (my ex-hubby) drove down to Terry & Gary's and Gary and he went golfing and then came back to the house, where we had BBQ'd chicken and a bottle of champagne and toasted Kumba, To his 'family' that loved him and he loved back ten fold.
Farewell gentle boy, even though you aren't with us physically, you will always be with us in memory and spirit.
http://www.divadawg.com/TheCrew.jpg
I will do a Kumba Rainbow Bridge page, but not just yet, it's too hard.
Kumba was a therapy dog, certified service animal and the best ambassador for Rottie Rescue I have ever known. It gives me comfort to think he will walk among the souls of 9/11 and will continue to give comfort and love like he did when he visited the children's hospital, schools and cancer wards.
While we were in the waiting room, a 18mth old child was there and came over to BooBoo as he was laying down, with his head up, and as the child came (crawled) over, Kumba rolled onto his side and the child hugged him, and Kumba gave him a kiss, forever the gentleman, forever the ambassador - that is the way I will forever know him in my heart, he was not just my heart dog and the love of my life, he was everyone's dog, everyone that met him, fell in love with him.
May he find the rescues that have passed before him, but passed away in loving homes, because of him, and how he represented the breed and the species. My vet (Dr Reeves) said to me, "over 30yrs in practice, and I have never known a dog like him, and I don't think I ever will, he wasn't one in a million, he was one in ten million."
God Speed and may you find all the shadows to pounce on that your heart desires and I know you will be well tended until I can join you. I was proud to be blessed with you for the time I was.
I choose a private cremation for Kumba, and he will be sprinkled around a tree we will purchase at Terry & Gary's at Pup's paradise. In the woods there are many trials, Terry's son, Brad has asked if it's ok if he makes a sign like the ones you see at National Parks, and have on it "Kumba's Way" and it will be on the path leading down a slight hill, to the creek that Kumba so so loved.
Lis' Kristof
who feels like there is something missing, but who knows that Kumba will always be with me. My heart dog, my love, my first k9 furry child who taught me so so much.
Dallas, TX