I entered Harvard College after graduating from Stuyvesant H.S., pres. of the Arista, perfect Boards and arguably the best young 'cellist in New York City; I was on top of the world. I quickly learned that Harvard was filled with youngsters many times brighter and more talented than I, and all anxious to improve The World (at least, during their freshmen year). I met more interesting, brilliant, committed folks than ever I knew existed; I started a residential music school with the blessing of the class Dean; I learned to organize, fundraise, perform at will, and speak to crowds. In due course, I graduated, started a laboratory, sold it; started a phone company, sold it; started a video-conference company, left it; and went through a few other entrepreneurial lifetimes. All the time, I had a dog, or rather, a dog had me. But never, ever, was I ever owned by a dog like Chico. The greatest characteristics of all time, honored by all philosophers, combined with a naivete that defines selflessness and grace, is rarely so mixed with forgiveness and bravery that we call it not just rare, but virtually impossible. And that's Chico. It's an honor to have him have me, a blessing beyond imagination and outside the universe of life and death, energy and matter.
We walked on through the magical forest. The sky glistened through the leaves of the trees, and the forest canopy was filled with a shimmering light that seemed at times like mirrors. (I later learned that the leaves were,read more
As we walked through the woods, I had a hundred questions or more about our surroundings. Why the sky was yellow-green, like the inside of a huge astronomical lily in bloom; why the trees were as perfectly brown as Chico’sread more
…While many are possible, even available, for you, for me, for us, Chico might be one less fraught with dangers. The paths are scattered around us, like emerald pebbles on a rocky beach, cloaked in gray mystery and essentially invisible. The realization of the path, your path, might be found in the love of someone other than a person. We all think we “need someone to love,” and it might be so. The love you can give to, and get from, your Chico might be the highest.
The Road less traveled, the Path not taken, the Door not opened, the Chance ignored…. our lives can be littered with the flotsam and jetsam of missed, ignored, invisible opportunities. Awaken!
In a Chico-like relationship, perhaps it’s the simplicity, and directness, the lack of interest in the root of all kinds of evil (fame, power, riches, and others’ admiration) that’s so unusual, and so (eventually) compelling. Until you begin to pray with a dog, your dog, your Chico, key pieces of the Puzzle of the Door will be invisible; prayer elucidates and realizes them.
Chico, your Chico, is an entire magnificently assembled puzzle, the Universe’s perfect answer to the perfect solution of life, the Universe, and…everything. Find your Chico, seek Him, and He will find you. He’s waiting for you. When the student is ready, the Master will appear. If you seek him, you are ready for him. Is the seeking blossoming in your yearning soul? Then look! Look for him. Look at the shelters, in the newspapers, on Craigslist, in Next Door. He’s there if you are looking. Really it’s true.
Here’s a musical exemplification of the Assembled Puzzle….Chico’s enduring chorale.
Chico, The Magic Dog
Chico, the magic dog - Chico, can text and blog
Chico, he’s lots of fun, - Chico, for everyone,
Chico, Chico, Chico he’s the
Ma-gic Dog.
Chico, the magic dog,
Chico, he chases frogs,
Chico, he
Chico, apparently a brown-and-white Staffordshire terrier (or Pit Bull), about 50 pounds, is not really from earth. He’s from a star system on the far eastern edge, the other side, of our Milky Way galaxy. The civilizationread more
The Western Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy is called, by the Woggs, the “Metsamorian Wing” of the galactic disk, Chico explained to me one evening. “The reason is,” he said, “that even before my visitread more
Two nights after Chico and I had the discussion about fluxion molecules and the urinary markings of Warrgs (and Woggs and dogs!), something happened that terrified me to the bone….an event that no one would ever want to goread more
Even though I wrote it, it still feels..well…inspired. By Whom, by What? By the compelling, ever-present desire to do something worthwhile before we leave earth for…yet another visit! I am thinking of you….
I can forgive even that wrong of wrongs,
Those undreamt accidents that have made me…..
Notorious, till all my priceless things
Are but a post the passing dogs defile.
About eight years ago, long before Chico appeared in our lives, I developed a habit of praying with Hennessy. It came about, apparently, just by chance, but now that I look back on it, I’m sure that it was quite intentionalread more
There are times in life – they seem to cluster, for reasons only the bosons know – that we’re called upon to do things, and learn things, that are totally outside our ken…. remote from the wildest,read more
Here’s our second Chico ballad – part of the plan to create the musical, “Chico!” Tell us what you think – and how you like it!
Chico Sings About Love, Wisdom and Eternity
I’m Chico from across the Galaxy
My brown and blue eyes tell you that it’s me.
I came to Earth to save you from the Warrgs,
And lead you to