Book Review: Pet Ghosts by Joshua Warren

Book Review: Pet Ghosts by Joshua Warren
This book came out in 2006, but I hadn't heard of it until I did a search on the topic recently. I just finished reading it, and I was disappointed because I was expecting insight into animal intelligence, behavior and communications with those they left behind. Having lost a puppy (who communicated with me a LOT), I hoped to read signs from others. Instead, paranormal investigator Joshua Warren focuses on ghostly animals throughout history, such as from ancient and medieval texts (including the Bible) and different cultures. The book talks about Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster, hellhounds and werewolves. None of this made much sense to me because none of these things are "pets." I think the book should have been called "non-human and mythological ghosts."
If you've lost a beloved dog or cat and are looking for comfort from this book, you won't find it here, unfortunately. Warren does great research, but the title of the book is really misleading.

Thanks to all at the 2 Massachusetts Events!

(PHOTO: Rob (left) and Derek Bartlett of CAIPRS (right) before the talk on Cape Cod)
This weekend has been full of wonderful experiences and the two book talks/signing events were wonderful. On Friday, May 28, Derek Bartlett (manager of the Cape Cod and the Islands Paranormal Research Society (www.caiprs.com) hosted me at the Cape Cod Community College. I met a lot of wonderful people, some with the gift of mediumship that that are also trying to develop, others with after-death experiences, and others who have seen ghosts or spirits. Derek set me up for a Powerpoint presentation with a microphone, and I had a lot of great interaction with the audience. I'm looking forward to staying in touch with so many folks, and immediately felt a connection with Derek and his wife. My thanks also to my partner Tom (for always coming and supporting me), my mom, brother and friend Janice who came over from Nantucket Island.
On Saturday night, May 29, Jenn from the Coffee Break Cafe in Quincy enabled me to provide an intimate talk and signing with a great group and enjoy great coffee (http://www.coffeebreakcafe.net/). I also connected with Jenn and her mom, and my mom's best friend Jane came with her daughter and husband; and our friend MaryAnn also surprised us! Everyone at both events had great questions and it was a fantastic experience to meet and talk with everyone.
- My next event is THIS SUNDAY, June 6 at the Federal Hill Jazz Festival in Baltimore. I'm teaming up with my friends Steve and Lynn Jenner (who wrote an hysterical parody of "Twilight" called "Twilite: the Parody." Come out and visit! We'll be there from 11am-7pm!

Our Dogs Sense Sarah's Spirit

On the night we learned of our close friend Sarah's passing, our dogs could not get to sleep. So, I put them on our bed. Our Weimaraner kept looking at the corner of the bedroom near Tom's side of the bed and I got my tell-tale headache alerting me that a spirit was there. Meanwhile our Weim just stared and stared at the corner.
I'm sure it was Sarah letting me know she was okay. It was a peaceful presence, indicating to me that Sarah was indeed here, so I was able to relax, knowing she's at peace. Our dogs would not sleep on their beds after "seeing" or "hearing" Sarah, and had to sleep on our full-sized bed. That made for quite a crowded bed!
As I've mentioned before, dogs have heightened abilities that humans don't share. Spirits are energy, and they even communicate at a higher decibel range than humans can hear, although dogs can hear it. Think about how a digital recorder can pick up a spirit or ghost's voice even though it is unheard by people. Dogs also have different cones and rods in their eyes and a different visual physiology that although makes them less able to recognize colors (most colors appear gray except for yellows and blues), they have a better ability to sense motion (including spirits).

Amityville Horror House for Sale

Here's a house I wouldn't give you 2 cents for!
The Amityville Horror House is For Sale
For $1.15 million, the AP reports. The movie and the book were inspired by the case of Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr., who killed his parents, two brothers and two sisters in Long Island, N.Y.
"The Amityville Horror" was about a family that lived in the home for a short time after the DeFeos were murdered; the new occupants left because they claimed to have been terrorized by paranormal activity. Newsday quotes a real-estate agent who says the home has been restored and "nothing spooky about it."
Read more: http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2010/05/amityville-horror-house-for-sale.html#ixzz0pALpMjG8

Remembering Our Friend Sarah

Last night our close friend Sarah passed away from her battle with cancer. It's always a shock when we lose someone we love, no matter how much we understand what happens after we pass.
I wanted to post this tribute to our dear friend because she deserves to be recognized for the wonderful person she was here on Earth, and is in the next stage of life.
Our friend Sarah has been a tremendous part of our lives for the last 5 years when I Rob met her at a dog event with her husband. There was an immediate connection, and my partner and I have grown to love her and Denis so very much.
On Sunday, we went to Sarah's birthday party and she was all smiles and glowing with love, despite her deteriorating condition. Sarah never lost hope. This is a photo from Sunday of Sarah with her husband. Her smile is infectious as it has always been.

Less than 6 months ago, Sarah went to the doctor to check out a stomach ache, and learned she had stage 4 cancer, although she was asymptomatic. It was a shock, but she never gave up hope. That's Sarah. She was the kindest, most loving, happy, optimistic person who always had a smile, a hug and a kiss for us. I always looked forward to her emails every week asking for SNOW, even in July Sarah LOVED Snow. Well, this winter I "gave" her 2 blizzards and record snow in the area. She was ecstatic, and still wanted more. She made me laugh when it came to my forecasts and the weather.
Sarah had a tremendous love for dogs that started through her husband. It didn't take long for Sarah and Denis to become an advocate for pet rights- and when they lost their beloved dog Shadow to the bullet of a madman in Vermont, they pushed for pets to be recognized as companions in the state, not just "empty animals." We're behind that 110%. Anyone that has a dog understands that feeling. Our dogs ARE our children. The day Sarah passed, the Vermont Supreme Court issued a decision that acknowledged dogs are more than just replaceable. Sarah told the Vermont press "It's so important for people to really recognize the relationship between the families and their companion animals." Sarah and her husband have 5 dogs and a foster dog, so their house was always full of canine companionship and love.
Sarah was very excited for us when we went to Connecticut and got married last June. When we told her about a small local reception she immediately volunteered to bake gourmet cupcakes for all of the guests! For weeks we tried her various recipes, got boxes and other things together. The cupcakes were such a hit that there were only 2 left after the reception, and people still talk about them even a year later.
Sarah is a tremendous person, so full of love, life, happiness, optimism and someone who has deeply touched our hearts. We miss her so much, but we know that she's now at peace with her loving dog Shadow.

2nd Appearance on "Ghost Chronicles" Internet Radio - Wed May 26 at 7:30pm-8pm EDT

Join me Live on Internet Radio -Wed. May 26@8pm EDT!
LIVE ON THE INTERNET: Wed. May 26@8pm EDT, I've been invited back for a return on-air visit with Ron Kolek and Maureen on the Ghost Chronicles: Internet Radio Show to talk about this coming weekend's talks/book signings in Massachusetts and my book.
WHEN? Wednesday, May 26 from 7:30pm-8pm EDT
WHERE CAN YOU HEAR IT? Listen On-Line Live to "Ghost Chronicles" every Wednesday (8-9 PM EDT) on http://toginet.com/shows/ghostchroniclesinternational Para-x.com
YOU CAN CALL IN: With questions and stories at: (877) 864-4869.
More information about the New England Ghost Project: http://www.neghostproject.com/ghostchronicles.htm

Thank you for coming to Karmafest!

My thanks to all who came out to "Karmafest" north of Baltimore on Sunday, May 23. I learned about it from a nice woman named Maggie that stopped by the Annapolis book event on Sunday, May 16. After I contacted Patty (the person managing the event), she invited me to partake in the author area. Here are some photos from Karmafest.

GOOD AND BAD KARMA - The day was mixed with good and bad "Karma." I tried going into a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot enroute to Karmafest and there were no spaces and a very impatient (and huge) man pulled into the parking lot behind me beeping his horn. I guess I stood between him and his dozen donuts, so I backed around his van and left without coffee. I did find another Dunkin' and got my coffee. So, good Karma won out! :)
I met a lot of really nice people at Karmafest. I'll explain stories and topics in later blogs here, as they are all interesting for discussions. One "bad karma" that I found interesting was from another author at the Karmafest. I arrived at 9:45am and was told to just sit on the corner of a stage and spread my books (and sign) out. The "stage" had a table and chairs for multiple authors but there were no others when I arrived. By 11:15am a young woman arrived and appeared outraged that only my book sign was up. I told her to sit on the stage next to me and put her books out. She stormed off.
Five minutes later someone from the festival had me pack up my books and brought me all the way to the front entrance of the festival, while the young woman sat at the table on the stage with her books. Fascinating. 45 minutes later when I looked at the stage she and her books were gone. I thought "having bad karma at karmafest likely doesn't make for success." The lesson I noticed was "always be kind to each other, and learn to bend." I felt badly for the other author who didn't experience the welcome I received from festival goers.
Overall, the event was fun, and wonderful, and the attendees really understood about ghosts and spirits. My thanks to Patty and the staff of Karmafest!