Happy birthday, Chester

Chester, contemplating his pup years

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the birth of Chester, the world renowned philosopher, philanthropist, and shih tzu of letters. There never lived as dignified nor revered a shih tzu as Sir Chesterton (as was his popular nickname), and this writer, for one, is certain the world shall never again produce as sage a philosopher. At the time of his death in August of 2008, Chester had served several administrations (he served as special counsel to then Presidential candidate Barack Obama, for instance), had held countless professorships worldwide, and was the author of at least a dozen philosophical treatises as well as one best-selling children's book.

While achieving much during his all-too brief lifetime, Chester never forgot his humble beginnings nor the ordinary people who populated his small-town past. He was born to Aiesha and Snorky Runinsnot of Kirkwood, New York - the eldest of a litter of nine. The very last of his siblings to be adopted, Chester was known to have mused quite movingly over his feelings of unwantedness as a pup. His mother was widowed shortly after Chester's adoption, due to an unfortunate snorting bout that took her mate's life while she was traveling the Caribbean. In his writings, Chester has expounded on the existential shock that a parent's death represents, a subject that he also has taken up in his Broadway play, "A pup alone." Many have speculated that Chester's loss in his puppyhood lay behind his later decision never to marry or raise a family. He has, however, deeply touched the lives of many and remains an enduring part of the greater family of learning, culture, and the arts. On this day, the anniversary of his birth, we salute a great and noble shih tzu - Chester, to you!