We all need a little mojo in our lives. You know, that spark, that inner energy that keeps us feeling alive, confident and living life to the fullest. When our youngest son brought home a nine week old golden retriever puppy and named him Mojo none of us had a clue how appropriate that name would be.
I was teaching and directing theatre at Huntsville High School. Several times a week I would bring him to be the class “greeter.” When each new class of 30-40 teenagers came in petting him and wanting his attention he got very excited.. After a couple of weeks I began to see a pattern: while I called roll he would make the rounds greeting everyone. But once I started teaching or the students were reading, he would go to the loners- the shy, intimidated, non participating students--and he would sit right there with them, head in their lap or give them his signature “gentle nudge” if he thought they needed some attention.
What started as a simple experiment turned into some beautiful “Mojo nudges;” One day my homeroom students said “Hey, Mr. Chappell, can we put the homeroom folder in Mojo’s mouth and teach him to take it to the attendance office for a treat?”
The Fine Arts (theatre, band and choral) rooms and the main building were separated by a courtyard. I said “sure, give it a try. After a week of practice, the bell would ring and he’d go straight to the folder, take it in his mouth and with his tail wagging follow the students through the courtyard into the main building. He’d give the folder to the attendance office and, yes, get a doggie treat. The office aides would open the door to the courtyard for Mojo to bound back to me to meet the next class. After a couple of weeks, I noticed it took longer and longer for him to come back. It might be 15, 25, or 40 minutes. I would get texts and calls from other teachers (upstairs and down) saying “guess who visited my room today and sat with the kid who never opens their mouth?” I’m told he visited the special needs classroom every day. The director of Special Education told me “students who are hesitant to make eye contact with people have no problem looking Mojo in the eye. His mere presence is therapeutic for my students. Mike, he is no ordinary canine!”
After I retired from teaching I continued to witness Mojo’s ministry of love wherever we went. We visited several coffee shops but Honest Coffee Roasters downtown was my “office away from the office” and he thought he was the greeter. Keep in mind I had absolutely no control over who would receive his nudges. I’ll never forget the man who was sitting alone and Mojo walked over and sat with him. I was always concerned that someone might be allergic or simply not want a dog to intrude on their space. I started to call him back when the man started crying. He said, “Oh please let him stay. I have been chosen today and did I ever need to be chosen today” as he buried his head into Mojo and wept. It was a beautiful moment to watch.
When my mother moved into a retirement village Mojo loved visiting her and would venture down the hall as other residents invited him into their apartments. I would find him snuggling with them as they fondly remembered their own pets. Oh the stories Mojo and I have heard through the years.
One time while we were at Hobby Lobby he walked up to a little girl with Down’s syndrome who excitedly hugged his neck and Mojo laid on the floor with her. Her parents later found me to ask the name of his breeder.
I’ll always remember when Mojo met our granddaughter, Lucy, for the first time. He knelt on the ground and crawled up to her carrier so as not to frighten her. Soon, Mojo became Lucy’s “pillow.”
2020 was a tough year for all of us. I was in physical therapy most of that year and my therapist had met Mojo and asked to bring him into the clinic. Jack told me “he has an innate sense of whether he might be needed." Each visit, Jack would say “Mojo, who needs you today?” and he’d pick up his leash in his mouth and make the rounds to those in the most pain.
I got a major “Mojo nudge” during Christmas of 2020. Facing hip surgery, I wasn’t feeling well and couldn't get comfortable. Suddenly, Mojo jumped up and shoved his nose into my stomach, growled, barked and bared his teeth. I’d never seen him do that before and I asked my wife to take him but he wouldn’t leave me. The next morning my doctor scheduled a CT scan. Before I knew it he called and said “Get to the ER now. Your appendix has burst and it’s been a while.” Later, he said “I think Mojo smelled the poison when it ruptured last night and was trying to get you to lie down!” I will never forget the nudge that possibly literally saved my life.
Mojo’s “nudges” were like God winks. So unexpected and delightfully appreciated. Over the years one thing was clear: he had no filter when it came to giving them. He didn’t care about your appearance, your political or religious preference or whether or not you had one. He simply saw through to your heart and soul.
The lesson to learn from this four legged teacher is to take a chance and show people unfiltered kindness. It changes lives. I saw it happen for ten years and I know what that ripple effect can do. I challenge you to be the one to give a nudge and change a life. I mean, come on, we all need a little mojo.