From One Dog Parent to Another: A Great Ramp for your Small Dog

 

 As a dog dad, and author of Pets and the Afterlife 1 and 2, today's blog is about a product I bought that helps keep your little dogs safe when they want to jump on a couch or bed. It's called DoggoRamps. I like to share things with others if I like them. (No, I don't get a commission! Wish I did!). 

Because our small dogs love being on the couch next to us (or even by
themselves) and jumping on and off risks ruptured disks, I've looked for ramps to help them safely. I tried a 2 step stair, but if they're not on that side of the couch, they won't use it. But a ramp can be angled to take up most of the couch length if we are not around. I settled on the Doggo Ramp and I'm glad I did!  Here's why: 

The Doggo Ramp is a great quality product. It's a sturdy, easy to use, ramp to help smaller dogs get up and down from couches, chairs and beds. It prevents back injuries (they should never jump off furniture). The ramp folds up nicely, it's well-constructed, easy to climb and easy to adjust! The craftsmanship is impeccable. If you have a small dog, this is the best ramp you can get.

I love the ability to adjust the heights easily, and the grip-able surface on the ramp makes it easy for dogs to climb and descend (whereas some other ramps use carpet, that is slippery.). Doggo Ramps are the best. I highly recommend them! 

Doggo Ramps were an idea of Ryan Beauchesne, the dad of the famous Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund (who 2 years ago underwent back surgery).  Franklin, one of our Dachshunds had to have surgery for a ruptured disc and had to learn how to walk and urinate again - it took months and it was painful. I wish we found this years ago.

It took just a couple of hours to get our Dachshund, Tyler and his brother Dash (Doxie/Chihuahua mix) to feel comfortable with it. (It's similar to the ramps used in dog agility).  

Use treats to get your dogs familiar with it, and I found using the "upstarts" / "downstairs" command works best. 

Paranormal Q and A: When did you learn of your powers as a medium? Is it learned or natural born?

Each week, I'll answer a question about the paranormal, whether a general question, or one
about human or animal ghosts (Earthbound) or spirits (crossed over). Here's this week's question:

QUESTION: When did you learn of your powers as a medium? Is it learned or natural born? 

 ANSWER: When I was 13 I saw my grandfather materialize in full color in front of me. I grabbed the family dog and ran outside waiting for my parents. My granddad appeared 6 months after he died, on the anniversary of his birthday week. (spirits come back usually on birthdays, anniversaries and holidays).

My abilities remained dormant until my dog passed in 2005 and he became the world's best canine communicator. He reawakened the abilities, and helped me focus and enhance them. -

The answer to your second question is that it does run in families. My mom had it, her father (my grandfather) had it, and my mom's cousin did, too My brothers however,don't have it. - But anyone can develop them if they're optimistic and senstive (emotionally). Just "trust your feelings!"

 For Rob Gutro's 6 books on the paranormal, visit: www.amazon.com. All of Rob's books were written to help explain the paranormal, and teach readers how to find signs from spirit.

Negative Energy Week: Negative Energy Can Affect Your Health

 This is the conclusion of Negative Energy Week - it went a day longer, because there was a lot of ground to cover. In today's blog, you'll learn how negative emotional energy can affect your health. 

Before the COVID19 pandemic, we were out and around a group of people - several we didn't know, and they were apparently into "not so good" things. 

   For example, when people abuse things, like drugs or alcohol, commit violence to each other, or are into things like Ouija boards or dark arts (both not good if they have no experience to protect themselves or their homes), or if they have anger issues, are depressed or just hateful - bad energy sticks to them like trying to clean peanut butter out of a jar.

  Why do I bring this up?  Because it affects the people around them, too. Negative energy can affect innocent bystanders. Especially people who are emotionally sensitive or in tune with their own internal energies. 

  Such was the case with me and two other friends who came home and that night and all during the next day - all three of us were sluggish, fuzzy-headed and exhausted.  Even 5 days later I still don't feel not right. I have to concentrate to speak clearly. It's getting easier though.

  So, if you know of a negative person, you may want to avoid them. Many people have relatives and people they care for who are negative. In those cases, protect yourself. Before you see them, picture a shell of positive energy around you, play music that makes you sing, appreciate the simple sights around you, enjoy your favorite coffee or other beverage. Build up the positive so that the negative can't get through. I wasn't prepared, sadly, and I'm still dealing with it days later.

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.

Good Person of the Week: Yolie the Artist Makes SPCA Christmas Cards (how to get them now!)

 If you're looking for a really fun set of holiday cards that will benefit an animal shelter, Look no further! Our friend Yolie Aviles is a super-talented artist and we've known her for many years. She has designed this year's holiday cards for the Annapolis animal shelter managed by the  Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

   Card Set Description:  Featuring delightful designs from Art by Yolie Aviles, these holiday cards are the perfect thing to send to loved ones who you may not be able to see this holiday season!

About Yolie: Yolie is definitely the "Good person of the Week" for many, many reasons. She takes care and loves everyone. She was our neighbor for 10 wonderful years before she moved. She's not only a great artist, but she's a spectacular cook!  We've had many of her homemade meals (and she makes a mean margarita), and enjoyed many get togethers. She also made us a personal holiday card (that had Tyler, Franklin and Dolly on it), and several other pieces.

A set of cards is $15.00 and comes with 10 cards- 2 of each design. 

TO ORDER GO TO: https://tinyurl.com/y57zu5bc 

Sales benefit the SPCA, so your purchase helps us care for our homeless animals.

Available for delivery or pickup! Pick up locations are Paws at the Mall (located in Westfield Annapolis Mall near Pottery Barn) or the SPCA of Anne Arundel County (1815 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis MD).

You can also go to the long-form URL to order:  https://spca-of-anne-arundel-county.square.site/product/spca-christmas-cards/1079?cs=true&fbclid=IwAR0G02y8yo9TqSnPrbhsQE1nHT-E-nBWi3bd7yqQQOfsNYHsw1QDqhDHiRQ

Negative Energy Week: The Smudging Ceremony to Remove Bad Energy with Sage Smoke

It's Negative energy week, and in today's blog you'll learn about the art of smudging to clear that energy. 

The following was provided to me by Kathy Schueler - about how to smudge and rid your home of bad energy: 

THE SMUDGING CEREMONY: REMOVE BAD ENERGY WITH SAGE SMOKE

Some of you want to know how to perform a cleansing ceremony with the use of burning sage, also known as "smudging".

A smudge stick is a dried and bundled plant. One can also use loose leaves in smudging, but before we get to the particulars of such a ceremony it will help to have an understanding of the origins of this sacred practice and how it will cleanse, heal, and consecrate an energy field, or thing, or space.

The Origins and History of Smudging:

People commonly credit smudging as being a Native American practice, but the use of rising smoke in spiritual rituals has been practiced across many cultures for thousands of years. The ancient Hindu texts reveal this was practiced 6,000 years ago with the burning of incense. Smoke purification was performed in Egypt, with the burning of aromatic resins for religious ceremonies. It was practiced in Babylonia, Greece, Rome, Japan, Tibet, China, among the ancient Hebrews, and among indigenous tribal cultures around the world, with the native tribes of North America being only a portion. Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, which are an amalgam of pagan beliefs and practices, use incense in religious ceremonies, adapted from the pagan rituals popular when the Christian theocracy was legalized by the pagan-turned-Christian, Roman Emperor Constantine, in 325 AD.

So the use of smoke to purify in a spiritual way is not exclusive to the Native American tradition, although we have them to thank for the wonderful and deeply spiritual practice of burning sage and other sacred plants as a purification practice. This tradition is a very beautiful gift and the most effective method commonly used in spiritual cleansing ceremonies today.

How it Works to Cleanse and Purify:

Smudging is an intrinsic part of shamanism, the world’s oldest medicine. Shamans recognize that every form of life on this planet has a spiritual purpose and a sacred consciousness. They know that plants have invaluable healing properties. Human animals, as it turns out, are not the top rung of creation’s ladder even though we think we are because we have big brains and walk on two feet. All beings, whether plant, animal, or mineral are divine and have sacred right to life; all have something to offer to the manifest “other.”

To approach a smudging ritual and to be effective in cleansing away negative energy, one must be reverent of the plant being used and even the energies being cleansed. All energy is divine at its core, whether Light or Dark. Respect for all life is essential to any smudging that you undertake. If you cannot feel reverent about this sacred practice, don’t do it. Find someone who is spiritually qualified and energetically prepared to do it for you.

Although many different plants can be used for smudging, indigenous American tribes consider four plants to be especially sacred: sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, and cedar. Each plant is considered to have a special function and this can vary by tribe and tradition. While sage is used for purification, sweetgrass is used to bring in positive energies, and its smoke is considered to carry prayers to the Creator.

When to Use Smudge:

-If you are feeling down, negative, stuck, or in a spiritual low place, smudging is an excellent way to change things for the better.
-When your house, your property, or any place or space has been exposed to heavy and negative energies, or painful experiences and even illness, they should be cleansed with smudge.
-When you move into a new location, it should be smudged to cleanse the psychic imprints of previous occupants.
-If you feel the presence of bad energy in your living quarters, or if a solitary room makes you feel bad or uneasy by being in there, it’s time to smudge.
-If you want to create a protective barrier against outside negative influences, such as neighborhood issues, it’s time to smudge.
-If you want to make your prayers stronger and if you want to feel more connected to Spirit, it’s time to smudge.
-If your vehicle has been in a fender-bender or you’ve had a close call in your car, smudge it, inside and out, to remove negative energetic imprints that can attract more negative experiences.
-Cleanse second-hand items with smudge to remove psychic imprints of previous owners.
-You can consecrate and energetically charge your garden by smudging.
-You should smudge to clean yourself and your space before engaging in any psychic contact or spiritual ceremony.
-You can smudge anytime just to connect to a state of spiritual clarity and harmony! Remember, you “clear the air” in your life with the help of sacred smoke!

Sacred sage and other wonderful herbs are Earth Mother’s gift, and once you understand how important a tool they are in your own spiritual welfare you will never be without a supply on hand. They are a fundamental part of your spiritual first-aid kit, given by Creation to heal wounds upon the Soul.

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.

Negative Energy Week: Advice on Clearing from The Beantown Medium: Ruthie Larkin

Since this is Negative Energy Week, I contacted my friend and experienced medium Ruthie Larkin, known as the Beantown Medium to get some additional tips from her about dispelling negative energy. 

Ruthie said:   I would also purchase a few Himalayan Salt Lamps that you can pick up at a Home Goods store for $20 - $30 each. Leave them on and place them around your home where your family usually spends the most time. 

(Photo right: Rob Gutro and Ruthie Larkin at a Pet Expo) 

I would also put a few sprinkles of Himalayan Salt between all your windows and the screens to keep negative energy from entering your home. 

If you live in a house you can also surround your home with a thin line of corn meal. This is a North American Indian way to smudge and is very powerful. 

All members of the family currently living and regularly visiting your home need to be assessed by a Psychic Medium while in your home and then your entire home needs to be cleared. There are also many Shamans who could perform this cleansing for you…be sure to get referrals.

Ruthie does comprehensive medium readings, and can be found at www.beantownmedium.com 

SOLUTIONS FROM OTHER WEBSITES: 

http://pranichealing.com/

http://www.holistichealthmalta.com/

http://amybscher.com/

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.

Negative Energy Week: How to Clear Your House of Ghosts and Negative Energy

This is Negative Energy Week, because it plays a big part in the paranormal. In today's blog, you'll read about my suggestions on how to dispel residual negative energy from your home and bring a return to a peaceful environment. 

I received an email about some serious issues occurring in a home where there appears to be an Earth-bound ghost. As I discuss in my books "Ghosts and Spirits" and "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" if you have an Earthbound ghost in your home they emanate negative emotional energy- causing the living to argue, have anxiety, fear, depression, and impatience. That in turn energizes a ghost, so it's a vicious cycle that needs to be broken by crossing the ghost over.   Since many people have this issue so I thought I would share the advice on how to clear your home. - Rob 

How to Clear Your House of Ghosts and Negative Energy

What I would suggest is the following:

1) Invite a LOT of light in the home

2) paint dark rooms white or bright colors

3) light white candles to invite light and positive energy

4) play soft instrumental music (you can find a relaxation channel on pandora.com for free)

5) TOSS out any objects that you think may have negative energy

6) Clean the house and remove clutter. clutter invites negativity

7) Tell the entities that this is YOUR HOME.  They do NOT belong there and are not welcome. They should cross into the light to be with their loved ones, they do not belong here.  - You can send them to a funeral home or hospital nearby

8) At night, picture yourself and your family surrounded by white light of protection. 

9) Bring in a paranormal team with mediums who can help clear your house.

10) Get sage and either light it to emit smoke, or get it in a spray and spray it in every room. 

 

PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP: 

If you're located in the Maryland/DC area, Inspired Ghost Tracking can help. Email: Inspiredghst@aol.com 

If you're in Virginia, Medium Barb Mallon can assist (www.barbmallon.com). 

If you're in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, Ruthie Larkin (www.beantownmedium.com) can assist.

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.

Negative Energy Week: How to Dispel Negative Energy or a Ghostly Attachment

 This is Negative Energy Week. In today's blog, you'll learn how to dispel negative

energy.

If you feel drained a lot, feel depressed, angry, or feel negative energy around you, there are steps you can take to dispel it. Whether it be a ghost in your house, a ghost who has attached him or herself to you, or negative energy that you absorbed. Here's how to get rid of it: It would be beneficial to start doing things to invite light, positive energy and optimism into your life to dispel it. The attachment seems drawn to the negativity like a magnet.

   BRIGHTEN UP! - I would suggest that you brighten your living environment, remove negative people from your life, play quieter, calming music, sage your house and bring in more light.

  LOOK AT LITTLE THINGS TO FIND GOOD - Focus on small things that make you happy- even a good cup of coffee or an easy traffic day.
  The positive change will repel the negative energy. Negative energy depresses people can be changed by focusing on good things, even small, good things.

  MEDITATE -   You should meditate, have all the lights on around, candles to invite more light, soft music (instrumental), and tell the energy to leave your body.

AN EXERCISE TO RID THE ENERGY FROM YOUR HOME -
    Picture the energy wrapping up into a tornado-like vortex, and then imagine it spinning out of the house through a window. Then imagine the window and all the windows of your house being sealed with light as a barrier. He can also protect yourself  further by picturing that white light around him as a "suit of armor

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.

Negative Energy Week: Negative Energy and a Ghost in Your House

 Continuing this week's series on negative energy, I'll explain what negative energy does, and why having a ghost in your house does to you in terms of that energy.

WHAT IS NEGATIVE ENERGY?  It's an energy given off that makes people feel bad feelings- anger, depression, irritation.

WHAT DOES NEGATIVE ENERGY DO?   For some reason, it also powers Earth bound ghosts. Earth bound ghosts (no matter their personality -happy, angry, sad, etc.) tend to radiate negative energy where they "reside." So, if people have a ghost in their home, they tend to get those negative feelings more. I've been on a number of ghost investigations where people who have an Earth bound ghost in their home have reported being more short-tempered, impatient, angered or depressed.

  AN ETERNAL CYCLE -   By expressing those bad behaviors and emotions, you're actually emitting negative energy and "feeding" a ghost to strengthen. It becomes a vicious cycle where having a ghost in the home generates negative emotions in the living, and the living people have negative emotions that continue to power the ghost in the home.
   That's why it's important to cross a ghost over from your home even if they have benign, or "good" personalities. That's not saying they will cross over, because some refuse. (Historic homes are known to have ghosts in them who love their old homestead and never want to leave).
   Conversely, positive emotional energy, such as love, faith and hope empower spirits (who have crossed over).

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.

Negative Energy Week: A Dirty vs. Clean House = Negative vs. Positive Energy (and spirit-wise, too)

I have taken part in many paranormal investigations in  private homes. It's important to know that your environment can influence and create energies around you. It can also affect the living. If your house is messy, it's a beacon for negative energy - both residual energy and an attraction for earth bound ghosts (who may be nearby). In today's blog, I'll explain about energy and order.

In one instance a home's inhabitant was complaining of dark shadows and bad feelings. It turned out that there was a lot of negative energy inside the house because of people practicing black arts and the house was filthy.

  HOW DOES A DIRTY HOME ENHANCE NEGATIVITY AND SUPPORT GHOSTLY ENERGY? - 
   Whenever anything is in disarray, dirty or disorganized, negative entities can feed off of it, and become empowered. Negative energies, like ghosts or even dark entities (non-human) can draw energy from the feelings of stress created by disorganization and filth. 

   We entered a house with black mold in the basement (which can make people physically ill, trigger respiratory problems and in some cases lead to death), and garbage piled up throughout the home. The home even smelled so bad that I had an asthma attack!

Dirty houses and disarray feed negativity

  The residents who lived there also had animals, and dogs and cats have much more sensitivity of smell - and it was extremely painful to them (I could tell). In fact, it appeared the poor dogs hadn't been bathed in over a year. The filth and neglect was disgusting and harmful to all - mentally, physically and spiritually. 
  It turned out that there were 2 dark entities in the home and they were feeding off the filth and disarray. So I recommended a thorough cleaning, repainting the walls (which were drawn on with crayon and pen), playing soft music to invite positive energy, opening shades (which were closed) and lighting white candles  - both to bring in light, and throwing out almost everything they could. 
BOTTOM LINE - 
  Negative energy, ghosts and dark entities will fester and strengthen in dirty, unorganized environments!!!  
HOW TO TURN NEGATIVE TO A POSITIVE - 

Clean houses dispel negative energy

  So, pick up and throw out papers, trash, things you haven't used in a year - organize it. Bathe yourself and your animals daily and weekly. Take out the trash. Bring light into your home - Make it a positive energy-filled place where no dark things would want to linger, and you'll be inviting good spirits of people who passed to watch over you, and even beings of light and love. 

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For more information, check out my books on Amazon.com - all best-sellers and all under $10. Particularly "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead" which is a question and answer-type book to all things paranormal that I've encountered.