Hero of the Week: Janet Sailor Tobin's Dog Rescue: Fletcher's Tough Story

I've volunteered in dog rescue for over 15 years, and continue to support rescues by giving fundraising lectures. I met Janet Tobin through my rescue efforts and she manages a dachshund rescue in northern Maryland. She's taken in some really difficult cases, and in July, one in particular really affected me, and I saved the photos of a special dog named Fletcher. In fact, On July 8, 2024 when I saw him, I told Tom we should adopt him. I felt a connection.  

  Fletcher was 12, a senior dog, and obviously never, ever physically cared for. He was in poor health. His heartless owners (they weren't parents) dumped the failing dog in a kill shelter. Here's his story and how Janet's rescue gave him 3 days of love he obviously never before received in his entire life.

FIRST STEP - Removing a dog from a kill shelter and placing them in a foster home with a rescue.

On July 8, 2024, Fletcher was rescued from a kill shelter by Janet's rescue. 

 Janet posted on facebook: "Freedom for Fletcher thanks to Shari Lynn Susan Moon! This very sweet gent had a bath and finally a real sleep after leaving a shelter made to hold 40 dogs, which actually has over 110. Fletcher is about 10 pounds, at least 12 years. His skin/coat need a lot of help. He's intact and, of course, has dental disease. Let's hope for a negative HW test. Welcome to rescue, special boy♡"

SECOND STEP - Making a vet appointment to get the dog back to health.

July 11- Janet had a vet assess Fletcher and learned of many alarming issues. Fletcher had to go to the ER, so the rescue needed donations. 

Janet posted: "Our Fletcher on his way to ER with Susan Moon. Please say a prayer for this precious boy and donate for his care if you possible can. Every $ helps us help them♡" www.longdogsrescue.org/donate

STEP THREE- RECOVERY OR NOT- Sadly, this poor dog, apparently mistreated over his entire life, didn't have the strength to recover to enjoy senior years.

Janet Posted: "Folks, my heart hurts as I tell you Fletcher has crossed the Bridge. Susan and I so hoped we could turn him around and give him some happy, pain-free life for some time. He did respond well to Susan's touch, her kindness, felt her love. And he ate well, enjoyed a few short walks in the yard. But more was not to be. 

(Right: Fletcher's diagnosis before he went into heart failure. Credit: JST)

A photo of Tuesday's vet diagnoses is posted. Today he went into heart failure, and could not be saved. Thank you all for caring. Fletcher sure deserved more in his little life. I asked my mom to welcome him home at the end of that Rainbow. Run free, precious little man♡"

MY THOUGHTS - My thanks to Janet, Susan and all the people who do rescue. We can't save them all, but we can give them a little precious love they all deserve for the time they have left here. I really took his passing hard, and I only knew of him for 3 days. 

Who is Sun Wukong, China's Monkey King?

About 2 years ago, DC Comics created a Chinese American superhero named "Monkey Prince." I really enjoyed the comic book, but didn't think to research to see if there was a similar character in Chinese lore. There is- and it's the "Monkey King!"  Sun Wukong, a monkey with human characteristics and abilities, is one of the best loved and most enduring characters in Chinese literature. Armed with a staff and extraordinary abilities, Sun Wukong, aka The Monkey King, comes from the 16th-century classic Journey to the West.  Recently National Geographic published a story about the Monkey King, and today's blog shares.

(Image: The Buddhist monk Xuanzang traveling with a tiger on the Silk Road. Artwork from the 800s depicts Buddhist monk Xuanzang on his 10,000-mile journey to track down holy texts in India two centuries earlier. Photograph by Pictures from History, Bridgeman Images)

Who is Sun Wukong, China's Monkey King?

National Geographic, ByParissa DJangi, August 29, 2024 

The seed of Sun Wukong’s story lies in a real-life pilgrimage 

The story of Sun Wukong begins with history, not myth. In 629, Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk in China, began a 16-year, 10,000-mile journey to track down holy texts in India. Xuanzang’s account of his journey, Records of the Western Regions, became so ingrained in the Chinese imagination that they served as the basis for the novel Journey to the West, which first appeared in print in the 1590s.

The novel, attributed to writer Wu Cheng'en, fictionalizes Xuanzang’s journey, transforming the historical figure into the fictional monk Tang Sanzang. He is joined by three mythical helpers who protect him on his pilgrimage, including a monkey called Sun Wukong.

Birth of the Monkey King 

Scholars can’t say for certain where the character of Sun Wukong came from, but Journey to the West likely borrowed from existing myths and legends. Some possible sources of inspiration for the character include Wuzhiqi, an ape-like figure in Chinese mythology, and Hanuman, a Hindu god with a monkey’s face.

Despite unresolved questions about the character’s roots, there is no ambiguity surrounding Sun Wukong’s origin story in Journey to the West: A stone gives birth to an egg, which transforms into Sun Wukong. He likely appears as a macaque, a kind of monkey that lives throughout Asia.

(Image: Monkey Prince 1: Enter the Monkey, hardcover graphic novel by DC Comics)

He soon earns the title “Monkey King” through a daring act of courage. While living with fellow monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain, they stumble on a waterfall. Sun Wukong volunteers to jump across the stream of water to see what is on the other side. He discovers a cave, and the monkeys reward his bravery by naming him their king. Sun Wukong has superhuman abilities and plays by his own rules. Among them: 72 Transformations, which enable him to shape-shift. Space is no obstacle for him, and one story recounts how he travels thousands of miles with a single somersault.

Journey to the West also extols Sun Wukong’s martial skills, aided by his strength, staff, and ability to fly.

Sun Wukong embodies many of the characteristics people associate with monkeys, including mischievousness. As a trickster figure, he shares attributes with other fixtures of myth and legend, such as Loki, Reynard, and Brer Rabbit.

The Monkey King bristles against authority, and he is troubled by the fact that there is one thing he’ll never be able to conquer: death. So he sets out to gain immortality, spending years wandering the world in search of it.

His journey to find immortality takes him all the way to heaven, the realm of the Jade Emperor. The Monkey King gets into all manner of mischief there, including sneaking into forbidden parts of the palace. In another incident, he gorges on special peaches and spoils a royal banquet.

Sun Wukong even proclaims himself the Jade Emperor’s equal. The Jade Emperor seeks help from the Buddha to punish him, and so he imprisons the Monkey King in a mountain. He remains incarcerated there for 500 years, until an unexpected opportunity for redemption arises.

Sun Wukong’s great journey 

When Tang Sanzang begins his travels in Journey to the West, he comes across Sun Wukong, still imprisoned in the mountain. The monkey agrees to protect him on his pilgrimage so that he can win his freedom.

On the road, Sun Wukong proves to be a formidable bodyguard for the monk as demons and spirits pursue the travelers. Some of them hope to prevent Tang Sanzang from collecting the holy texts; others believe they can become immortal by consuming the monk’s body. None of these villains are successful, thanks to Sun Wukong’s powers. In thanks for this, Sun Wukong is elevated to become an honorary Buddha.

The Monkey King Became More Popular Than the Original Lead Character

Though Journey to the West was technically about Tang Sanzang’s pilgrimage, readers embraced Sun Wukong, and he became the most popular character in the novel.

A Sold out "Pets and the Afterlife" Rescue Event at ARLNH!

 On Sunday, Sept 29, 2024, the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire hosted me for the 6th year, to give my fundraising lecture on how pets communicate from the afterlife. It was an amazing, heartwarming event. 

 Thank you to all who came and made this a sold-out event, bringing in hundreds of dollars for the animal rescue! Thanks to all for sharing their stories and experiences because they served as great examples to everyone about how our pets communicate from spirit.

​    I think I can also speak on behalf of Marianne Jones and Charlotte Williams who greeted folks at the door today. They are an amazing team who helped promote the event so all of you who needed to hear how your pet in spirit has been trying to reach you through signs.  
   

ARLNH has welcomed me back every year since I came up with this idea to reach grieving pet parents, and each time is incredible.

MY VIDEO THANKS: https://youtube.com/shorts/3yKD5VJPmHo?si=j_r9mJTWavJh83Lf

​   Speaking about my dogs in spirit is always emotional for me, as everyone noticed.  Just keep in mind their love lasts "Fur-ever" and they will be waiting for us in spirit.

 If you'd like to follow me you can go to www.robgutro.com - All of my latest Events, Video interviews and weekly blogs. You'll also find the social media links there, too.  Thank you again, for a wonderful experience.
Sincerely,
Rob Gutro 

This 1 Unexpected Exercise Could Be A Game Changer for TMJ

I suffer from TMJ pain, and have had chiropractors work on it and taken muscle relaxers. Now, there's a short video from a dentist who shows a method that DOES provide quick relief. I tried it and it WORKS!!! Here's the video and story.

This 1 Unexpected Exercise Could Be A Game Changer If You Have Jaw Pain

Huffington Post, August 23, 2024 

If you suffer from TMJ-related pain, there's an easy way to potentially get the relief you've been looking for.

If you deal with TMJ-related issues, then you know how unpleasant the symptoms can be: jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, earaches, toothaches or trouble opening or closing your mouth, all of which can put a damper on your everyday life. But there’s one unexpected exercise that could provide the relief you’ve been looking for.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jawbone to the skull. You have one on each side of your face, just in front of the ears. You may have heard people who have problems with this joint and the surrounding muscles say they “have TMJ.” But the clinical term would be TMD, or a temporomandibular disorder, though some medical professionals may also refer to it as TMJ dysfunction or a TMJ disorder.

The video by Dr. Priya Mistry, a dentist in Vancouver, Washington, who specializes in TMJ disorders, shows how to release a small jaw muscle I had never heard of before: the lateral pterygoid.

The lateral pterygoid is a fan-shaped muscle with two heads. It lowers the jaw, moves it side to side and is involved in chewing, speaking and clenching. 

 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Vus2e16q70A?si=gkZuACCAvSpofwu3

Part 2: Visited Old Fields Burying Ground - Some Local Famous People

 In Part 2 of our visit to the Old Fields Burying Ground in South Berwick, Maine, you'll meet some of the famous local people who were interred there. One weekend last month, our friend Jeff (and our dogs and his dog) accompanied us.  On a side note, although it's Halloween season, it's important to know that cemeteries aren't usually haunted (unless someone loved hanging out in one when they were alive, and chose to stay there). Thanks to the Old Berwick Org website, I'm able to give you some history.   

********************

ONE OF THE FAMOUS INTERRED THERE -  Hon. Benjamin Greene, (1764-1837). A Harvard graduate of 1784, he came here as preceptor (headmaster) of Berwick Academy, then settled in the community. While Maine was still part of Massachusetts, he served as representative to General Court in Boston from 1809 to 1811 and 1813 to 1817, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas from 1811 to 1822, and Speaker of House in 1824.

Greene is remembered in Maine for helping to draft our constitution in 1819, just before Maine became a state. Greene also served as the fifth U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine. He was appointed by President James Monroe in 1824, was reappointed in 1828 and held his position until 1830.

(Photo: While waiting in the truck, Cody was doing his best impersonation of a ghost.)   

(Photo: This display shows some of the headstones of South Berwick and Berwick's most famous people buried in the Old Fields Burying Ground.) 

(Photo: Myrtle was wondering when her dad, Jeff and uncles were going to stop looking at "rocks" and come back to the truck)

ABOUT

 GENERAL JOSEPH HAYES - 1835-1912) – 

A Civil War brevet major general, one of only about 500 who served the Union as general officers. Born in the Hayes House on Academy Street, he attended Berwick Academy and Harvard, then worked as an engineer building railroads out West.

Entering the war at 25, he fought with distinction in the major eastern campaigns, including Gettysburg and the Wilderness, where he suffered a head wound. 

   Captured at Petersburg, he was held in Richmond’s notorious Libby prison

and other military institutions for seven months. 

 (Photo: A tombstone with an inscribed "angel" at the top for a woman named Mary Hill who passed in 1785.) 

As Brevet Major General, Commanding, Advance Brigade, Army of the Potomac, he served through the Appomattox Courthouse surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. His portrait today hangs in Harvard’s Memorial Hall.