Peter Mutabazi did not have a happy childhood. At ten years old, he ran away from his home in Uganda because his father was abusive. He went to the capital city of Uganda and spent several years living on the streets.
His life started to change when a Christian family fostered him and sent him to school. As an adult, he settled in Oklahoma and devoted his life to helping children who did not have any family to care for them. He did not have the opportunity nor the time to have a dog as a pet
When his adopted son, Anthony, asked for a dog, he was hesitant. He had his hands full with fostering other children. In addition to that, Anthony’s adoption was recently finalized.
Peter was working on building his son’s trust that he would not abandon him, unlike his former adoptive family. Anthony was still walking on eggshells around him.
Peter got a new job, and they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Soon afterward, a family from Texas contacted him through social media. Their labradoodle was pregnant, and they offered to give him a puppy after being weaned.
Anthony got so excited over the news. He kept asking when they would get the puppy. Peter set his doubts aside upon seeing joy and hope in his son’s eyes. Finally, they drove to Texas for 16 hours to pick up the puppy.
They named the new puppy Simba because Anthony wanted to honor his dad’s roots. At first, Peter’s patience was tested with caring for a puppy on top of his other responsibilities. Later on, he realized that Simba was the answer to his prayer.
Anthony learned to loosen up and be himself because of Simba. The puppy stuck to his side no matter what he did or how he felt. Anthony finally began to realize that other people and his dog were capable of truly caring for him. He finally understood the meaning of a true family.
Peter and Anthony wanted to share that message with the other foster kids, so Peter made a bandanna with written words of affirmation. Simba wore that bandanna proudly.
Shortly afterward, father and son decided to start an organization to help vulnerable children. They designed a plush toy that looked like Simba with the bandanna. Sales from the toy went directly to the beneficiaries.
Simba not only strengthened the bond in his family but also served as an inspiration to spread words of affirmation to children who needed them most.
Source: Guideposts