|
Murray came into my life in 1991 when I moved up to Sebastopol, California and changed it forever. His sweet, calm presence inspired me to write LIVING IN VERTICAL TIME: THE TEACHINGS OF MURRAY THE BURU. Matthew Fox serialized it throughout 1993 in Creation Spirituality Magazine. Parts were later incorporated into Susan McElroy's ANIMALS AS TEACHERS AND HEALERS. Now Murray is known all over the world. On September 11, 2003 Murray moved on to greener pastures. His sweet presence will live in my heart forever, as is true with all who had the privilege to meet him. |
| Several years ago I was invited to be a presenter at the First Annual Conference on Animals and Spirituality at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Having created the First Church of the Disciples of Murray I requested that I speak on Sunday morning in order to conduct a "service" in his honor. For the occasion I wrote the following prayer: |
| I was commissioned to write a children's book that would feature (and in my mind forever preserve) the national treasure of world famous naturalist Elizabeth Terwilliger. I wrote this book in two ways. On one level it is an adventure story with music and song. Inset on each drawn page is a photograph of Mrs. Terwilliger in nature. Side B of the included audio cassette captures her unique teaching performance in the field as well. |
| I've had the great privilege of meeting both Koko and her companion Michael at the Gorilla Foundation in California. It was a thrill to be with Koko and submit to a spontaneous dental exam (gold teeth fascinate her). Before I left I asked if I could peek into Michael's trailer (seen above with one of his paintings). Penny Patterson said I could but to be forewarned; he would charge. I stood on a box and peeked in a tiny screened window. I flew 6 feet back through the air when he charged. My heart is still partially wedged in my throat. Unlike Koko, Michael witnessed the murder of his parents, having been taken from his wild home. Despite being a fearsome silverback he was also a wonderful artist. After his death I did the following cartoon of Koko that appeared in Gorilla magazine. |
| Back in the late 70's I talked my way into working on a documentary on the affection training of dolphins and killer whales. This allowed me the opportunity to spend time alone with Yaka when she was young. I would massage and scratch her entire body, hanging from a railing at the edge of the water. We had the best time. While I cannot advocate for "whale jails" I can appreciate the opportunity I had to be intimate with a magnificent being roughly the size of a small motor home! I took this picture during a public performance...the last time I saw her. I was planning to take advantage of the park's first ever winter closing to request some private time with her again after many years. Within days I came to learn she was dead. Sometimes you just wait too long. |