A Tribute to My Mom's Creativity: Homemade Dog Sweaters get 2nd Life

Tyler and Franklin wearing the sweaters my mom made

One of the best things we can do to pay tribute to those we lost is to re-purpose something they made or had, so it becomes valuable to someone else- in this case, our dogs!  
   My  mom passed on Dec. 29, and I returned in February to continue with the organization and clean out of the house to prepare it for sale. While I was cleaning out the "storage room" in mom's basement I came across a plastic bag full of dog sweaters that my mother hand made back in the 1980s/early 1990s for her poodle Gigi.
   Gigi was one of our family dogs who came to us in 1975. She lived until October 1993. My mother loved that little white poodle with all her heart and never got over losing her in 1993. While Gigi was part of the family, my mom, who made some of her own clothes, made shirts and pants for us (and a Batman costume for me), also handmade sweaters for Gigi!
  In the late 1980s I don't remember dog sweaters being around for sale in stores. In fact I don't remember many accessories for dogs like there are today. So, Mom was on the cutting-edge. Mom hand-knit several dog sweaters and even made Gigi a raincoat from one of my childhood raincoats!

Tyler, Franklin and Dolly dressed for the cold

   So, I happily took the dog sweaters that had been sitting in my parent's basement in a zippered plastic bag for 21 years (since Gigi passed). The sweaters perfectly fit our two Dachshunds: Franklin and Tyler and they've already enjoyed plenty of use from them with all the bitter cold and snow we've had over the last month.
  So, I post this story as a tribute to my mom's creativeness and talent as a clothing designer and clothing maker (for dogs in this case). Now her grand-dogs are enjoying her handmade gifts.

**NEW** PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here 

FOR  ROB GUTRO'S  OTHER BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON ((Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium for $7.99 paper/$2.99 E-book and Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead  for $8.99 paperback and $2.99 E-book:  http://tinyurl.com/q3bhgde

A Busy Week of 4 Events! - Come out and say hello!

Rob Gutro, author

It's going to be a busy weekend (and next week)! I've got FOUR events to attend! 
1) I'm speaking on Saturday morning, April 26th at a "Hope and Healing conference" for people who are grieving over loved ones who passed (talking about signs from spirits) in Annapolis, Md. 
 **CHECK FOR ANY LEFT OVER SEATS-
April 26 (7:30am to 4:30 p.m.)- Two Talks: Signs from Loved Ones- Saturday, 9:15-10:15 and 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Hope and Healing Conference, Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, Md. 21401 (20 workshops planned),REGISTRATION: $35 includes continental breakfast and hot lunch DUE: April 15, 2014  For more information please contact: Carol Tomaszewski Phone: 410-519-8448 Email: hopeandhealing2014@gmail.com

2)  Sunday afternoon, April 27th, I'm one of 4 panelists at "Strangecon-1" in Baltimore - on the paranormal!   **OPEN TO THE PUBLIC**
April 27 4-7 p.m. EDT -  Talk: Signs from the Afterlife     STRANGECONMaryland Institute College of Art's Brown Center, 1300 Mount Royal Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21217  Each speaker will have 30 minutes and there will be a panel discussion with audience questions after all four talks.  www.strangecon.org
3)  On Monday, April 28th you can catch me on the air at 8 pm EDT, as I guest on Into The Unknown Realm radio program here: http://www.dtmwickedradio.com/itur.html

Come to the Richmond Pet Expo!

 April 28 at 8 pm EDT, Monday
Guest on Into The Unknown Realm radio program
Hosts & Producers: Naomi & Steve
On Wicked Radio. http://www.dtmwickedradio.com/itur.html
4)  Then on Saturday, May 3rd, I'll be at the Richmond Pet Expo with my new book "Pets and the Afterlife." 
May 3 - Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Richmond, VA Pet Expo
at the DC Weimaraner Rescue Booth
Richmond Raceway Complex
600 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA
Free Admission  http://www.richmondpetexpo.com/
You can bring your pet!

Interview/Podcast The Malliard Report interviews Rob Gutro

The Malliard Report  interviews Rob Gutro

On February 25, 2014 host Jim Malliard interviewed me about my three books, "Ghosts and Spirits Insights From A Medium” and “Lessons Learned From Talking To The Dead” and "Pets and the Afterlife."  CLICK the link below to hear the Podcast!

Here are some of the questions that Jim posed to me during the interview: 

-How did he know he was a Medium?
-What is it like for him as a Medium?
-Has he ever come across a spirit that’s afraid to cross over because they are scared of the unknown?
-Why does Rob call himself “Medium Rare”?
-What made him want to write both of his books?
-Learn about the next books Rob Gutro has coming.
-How did he get involved in his Ghost Hunting team?
-How does a Medium work during an investigation?
-Rob tells us about some of his experiences as a member of a ghost hunting team.
-What’s his feelings on the Ouija Boards?
-What are Rob Gutro’s goals in investigating the paranormal?
-How does being a Meteorologist help Rob when he is working on an investigation?

Musical Sign from Webster the Dachshund

Webster

On April 5, I was responding to an email from my good friend Shelley, who is also a dachshund rescue volunteer. She just lost her beloved dog, Webster. As I wrote in my new book, Pets and the Afterlife" - losing a dog is the same as losing a child. My heart hurts for Shelley and everyone who loses a pet (as I've lost several dogs).
 
As I was writing to Shelley, her dog Webster's spirit came through to me immediately. I happened to log onto Pandora.com radio, and one of the stations I listen to is music from the 1980s. As soon as the music started to play, I wrote to Shelley and said "Webster JUST sent me a song for you. I've never heard it come up on Pandora and I instantly knew it was a message from him. It's Somewhere Out There by Linda Rondstat and James Ingram. I'm sitting here all teared up. This song is from Webster with love: http://youtu.be/RkI-B2JWSZI

PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here

Just Added! Meet Rob Gutro at the INFO Fortfest Conference (open to public)

Rob Gutro, author/medium/ghost tracker/scientist will be speaking at the INFO Fortfest conference on Saturday, May 17th! 
This is a Conference that Celebrates the Mysterious, Anomalous and the Unknown! Open to the Public! Must Be 16 Years of Age.
 Open to public- Get tickets
Located at the Ramada Inn near BWI Airport, 7253 Parkway Dr. Hanover, MD, 21076

Registration and Details right here at: fortfest.eventbrite.com
or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/info-fortfest-may-17-18-2014-tickets-11106430633
Email susan.swiatek@gmail.com OR Call 571-262-1496 

Pets and the Afterlife: A Note to Help People Understand Why Pets are Our Children

  As you may know, I  just published my third book called "Pets and the Afterlife" about how dogs and cats can communicate with us from the afterlife. Today, a very good friend of mine who works with adults who tragically lost their human children told me that some of them were "offended" by my promotional postcard that compared losing a pet to a losing a child.
  To those folks, I say that it's important for people who either have human children and / or don't have pets to not criticize those of us who have a dog or cat and look at them as our children. One reason is because couples like my partner and I cannot have children. Another is that even people who have human children also regard their pets as children.  
   SO, WHY DO WE (and other) PET PARENTS CONSIDER THEIR DOGS/CATS CHILDREN?
     I think about and mourn the loss of our dogs Buzz and Sprite every day, just as people mourn the passing of their human children.  Why? Because, we taught them how to go to the bathroom, bathed them, groomed them, took them to (obedience) school and was excited at their graduation, watch them interact with others, take them to the doctor when they're sick, play with them, teach them, make friends, learn, love etc. They share love, anger, fear, excitement, just like human children do- Dr. Stanley Coren tested dogs (Chapter 3 of my book) and proved many have the intelligence of a 3-4 year old child.
    Dogs know when we're disappointed in them if they tear something up - and we come home, find out and they cringe. They know when we're sick and stay by our side, like human kids do.  The only thing they don't do is have careers and take care of us when we're old. 
   What's more, and more is that WE have to make the decision to put our "pet child" to final rest, something human parents don't really contend with unless in certain tragic circumstances.  - And that is the hardest part of unconditional love. So, for anyone that says to pet parents like me who can't have children, that pets are not like children, they choose not to recognize things outside of their own lives.
  My dogs are  my children. I am responsible for feeding, caring, loving them and keeping them healthy, just as humans are with human children. To tell me otherwise is as disrespectful of my feelings, and hurtful to me as my sentence was apparently to them.  So it's a matter of perspective. 
    Yes, of course losing a human child is horrendous. But to people that don't have human children, people that DO have them need to understand it's the same feeling of shock, horror, sadness, depression and a longing that will never be fulfilled. Grief is grief, and no one should tell you how to feel over losing someone you love.

Meet me at the Doxiefest today- signing "Pets and the Afterlife"

Come out to the Doxiefest today from 11am to 3pm in Reisterstown, Maryland!  I'll be there at Noon with my books "Pets and the Afterlife" - to help Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue. There's a dachshund race at Noon, too! Fun for ALL AGES. 

WHERE: Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136
ADMISSION $5 donation to Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue

A Benefit for Mid Atlantic Dachshund Rescue dedicated to the medical care and rehoming of our beloved low-rider friends.
Come meet adoptable dogs have a good time while meeting new friends and seeing some old ones, too. Fun for the whole family!
http://ccdrmidatlantic.webs.com/spring-doxiefest

A New Sign from Sprite's (the Dachshund) Spirit!

On April 3, I received a page from the Los Angeles Times in the mail from my friend Layla. In my new book, "Pets and the Afterlife" Layla encountered the same type of butterfly that our late dog Sprite sent to us several times after he passed, to let us know he was okay and still around. - In the chapter about Sprite, you'll read how the same butterfly lingered around our dogs, just as like Sprite did.
  When Layla read about Sprite's passing  the the butterfly, she also encountered one (which is in the book. She recently came across this 3/4 page drawing of the same exact butterfly in her local newspaper and told me she knows Sprite wanted to send me a message that he's still around and sends love.
  When I opened the envelope that contained it, and read Layla's note before seeing the butterfly on the other side, it brought a tear to my eyes because I've been missing Sprite much more than usual lately (and yes, I say good night to him, because he's around and can hear me). I needed this confirmation!
   Remember- There are no such things as coincidence. When you need someone in spirit, they're around you even if you can't feel them.

PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here

Q & A: Is it possible to develop medium skills?

Rob's 2nd book

Recently I received this great question from C.S.: 

QUESTION:    I listened to your interview on the Malliard Report and it has inspired me to want to help people. The only pet cat that I've ever had, that has died, came to me in my dreams twice. Though that was about 10 years ago and I'm, by no means, a medium. However, I do seem to be more perceptive than most people I know. My question is, is it possible to develop medium skills? If so, how does one accomplish that? You probably get this question a lot, but any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ANSWER: - Thanks for writing.  First, I'm sorry about your cat. I'm glad to hear that he came to you in your dreams though. That means your cat crossed over (Earth bound ghosts can't do that). Dreams are the best avenue for spirits for getting messages to the living. -

 - Second - Yes, people can develop their abilities. Everyone has the capability. You need to trust what you get and verify. -The way I did it was to go into an historic home or place and "listen" - you may get names or see someone in your head. You may feel an illness, like a fever, heart attack, chest pain, gun shot, etc.

Pennies can be a sign from loved ones

  Don't fret if you don't. The thing about getting messages is that we need to try not to explain them away "logically" so quickly. 

Rob is a member of Inspired Ghost Tracking

One scenario where you may get messages is in the shower (I get a lot there because of water energy, and I'm able to clear my mind). Listen in the shower and see if you hear music, voices, etc. See if you hear a name. Spirits use water energy to pass along messages, as they use other physical energies. -
  - Another thing I talk about in my books is the different signs like pennies, flowers, insects, birds, music for example, and special times, like anniversaries connected to you or the spirits, or birthdays. It's all about paying attention and not discounting things.
  Give it a try for a week and let me know what you come up with!
Sincerely,
Rob Gutro
 
FOR  ROB GUTRO'S BOOKS:  BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON ((Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium for $7.99 paper/$2.99 E-book and Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead  for $8.99 paperback and $2.99 E-book: and http://tinyurl.com/q3bhgde  AND 

**NEW** PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here

 

My Mom's Spirit Approves of my New Book - Confirmation!

new book: Pets and the Afterlife

For those of you who have read my books, you know that Spirit has an amazing ability to send messages. One way they can do it is by having you meet someone who has the same name they do. That happened today, when a woman left me a nice note regarding the theme of my new book "Pets and the Afterlife" - which just came out last week on Amazon.com (in paperback and kindle). 

-  This woman's name was "Nana (Norma)" - My mom's name is Norma and she passed on Dec. 29, 2013. Her grandchildren knew her as "Nana." The confirmation can't get much clearer than that! - 

  My mom's spirit obviously influenced "Nana (Norma)" to drop me a note about my book. 

 - What's interesting is that my mom knew I was writing the book before she passed, and she so loved her poodle and her cocker spaniel, both of whom passed long before she did. My mom was very excited about the book, and now she's found a way to convey that! 

 - Thanks to Nana (Norma) Brown for providing this amazing, comforting sign and confirmation that my mom also approves. 

My mom, Norma AKA Nana

 Here is the original comment and my response:

Nana BrownMarch 29, 2014 at 4:47 AM

I too have felt pets who have passed on - ever since I was a teenager - now I'm in my 50's. I can't wait to read your book! Thank you for doing what you do. And, keep up the good work. See you in Twitterland.
Nana (Norma) 

  

RgutroApril 3, 2014 at 7:14 PM Thank you Norma (same name as my mom,who was also called Nana by her grandchildren)- You're a sign that my mom is letting me know she's around. Thank you! - I hope you enjoy the book. Our pets really are around us!

PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE: The loss of a pet is like the loss of a child to pet owners. The love we share with our pets never dies, and in a new book called "Pets and the Afterlife" by Rob Gutro, the author provides proof that our pets do communicate with us from the other side.    Available in paperback and E-book, on Amazon.com and other outlets at: To order paperback of Kindle- click here