The "Arnold Classic" and why my dog will never be the same.

Select City

Charleston Huntington Ashland Ironton Clay Logan Ripley Spencer Sutton Wayne Williamson Paintsville Pikeville Gallipolis Pomeroy Portsmouth

The "Arnold Classic" and why my dog will never be the same.

Topic Author: Jessica Ralston

Posted: 7:58 PM Mar 3, 2008

Replies Posted: 15 comments

Save

del.icio.us

Google

Yahoo

digg

Recent Blog Topics

Another One Bites the Dust.

Forever Favre or Send Him "Pack"ing?

Mini-Ralston and Mini-Moss

Chili... it's so hot!

"Wild and Wonderful" West Virginia Weekend.

Like Elvis... Borek has left the building.

Post Your Comments

The "Arnold Classic" and why my dog will never be the same.

I just got back from a long weekend in Columbus. I went with a big group to attend the "Arnold Classic." It's a bodybuilding\fitness convention and competition that brings in people from all over the world. Charleston's own "Strongman" Phil Pfister was there along with "Strongman" Brian Siders (also from Charleston.) It was cool to see them on stage with strongmen from all over the world. Of course, I forgot my camera and I wanted to take pictures for the blog. Sorry folks, I don't have any ):

There were a LOT of people from West Virginia in town for the weekend. It was kind of like being at home, seeing so many familiar faces. I even met some West Virginians at my hotel and the stores at Easton Town Center.

Anyways, since I was gone so long I had no choice but to leave Ginger in a kennel. The last time I left her there, she was fine. This time, it's a different story.

When I got home last night she came running to me, jumped in my lap and did not move. Since then, she has refused to leave my side (or my lap). All morning long, she was stuck to me like glue, staring up at me with the saddest eyes I have ever seen on a dog. She didn't want to go outside and she refused to play.

I see this as a total "guilt trip." She was obviously mad about being left in the kennel and now she's milking the sympathy for all it's worth. Really, I've never seen her like this. However, this is a classic "girl" move. You know what I'm talking about ladies. The one you love does something to make you mad, so you lay it on thick to get a little sympathy. I wonder where Ginger learned this from :)

Happy Monday!

Jessica

Posted by: Charlie WOW Jessica,Not that you really needed it but I can definitelt tell a difference in your thinner looks.You have always looked so gorgeous.Mow you have stepped it up to another level.Are you dating.I'm not a stalker LOL just wondered. I am available I am teacher and coach.Anyway I know it only wishful thinking on my part I'm sure you could have who you wanted. Great job

Posted by: Angela Next time, make it a girl's trip & take Ginger with you! www.petfriendlytravel.com & www.hotels.com have places to stay that will greet our friends with open arms!

Posted by: Donna No Jess, dogs are not people but they do have feelings. If they are mad at you they will sometimes tear something up. When my husband or me play with our son, our dog comes running with her toy wanting us to play with her or she may try to route in between us. Yes, you are the pack leader and the dog is a pack animal and when they are left alone they think they have been kicked out of the pack. Just like a lone wolf. Ginger wasn't trying to make you feel guilty, she didn't want to be kicked out of the pack again and was sucking up to prevent from happening again. When you are checking out some of Cesar's books you may also want to read something about the wolves. There's some interesting facts that closely resemble the domesticated dogs behavior. good luck with the guilt.

Posted by: Borek Bride Maybe it's something we're leaving on the MyZ set, but Jess is not the only one with a codependent animal. Todd has had his cats (our cats now:) for 10 years and they're his little buddies....we have to take them to the vet next week, and he's been feeling horribly guilty for days. He claims they won't "talk" to us afterward. Wish us luck please everyone....it's going to be a rough week for Cat Daddy.

Posted by: Debbie Philip, some dogs, like my border collie, just won't tolerate a crate. I know the people at the vets office where I kennel her are good to her because she loves them and gets excited to see them, as long as they don't crate her, I tried crate training as a puppy and would find her soaked in sweat after a short period. So it's true she's not trying to lay a guilt trip on me, I feel guilty none the less. Now we try to get a sitter whenever we can. luckily we don't travel a whole lot, just a couple times a year. I don't know about Jess's dog could be a large dog around her that scared her or something.

Posted by: Philip there is no doubt,you love your dog,we have the same problem going out of town,we have learned to check out the kennels closely,we were lucky the lady loved our dog,took him to her house and spoiled him

Posted by: Jessica "Ginger", I am so so so sorry. But please don't act like you aren't totally spoiled.

Posted by: Ginger It's no guilt trip, Jessica!! You betrayed me!! Even Paris Hilton treats her dog better than this!!

Posted by: Sue Cheesecake Factory has the best strawberry shortcake. Worth sharing as it was huge. I basically go to shop, so I went to Nordstroms and Macys. I love Barnes and Nobles. On High, they have closed the Sunflower Market. I cried when I heard the news. And on West Dublin-Granville, there is a Joe's Crab Shack next to a Krispy Kreme donut. I love that city!

Posted by: Jessica Sue, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Easton. We had a long lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Afterward I vowed to never eat again because I was so full (: I had the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake (usually I get the Vanilla Bean.) It was definitely worth the calories! We did have plans to go back down to High street at night, but everyone was tired so we went to Bar Louie at Easton. It was fun too.

Posted by: Sue Jessica, a call to the kennel might also be in order. Was she exhibiting any odd behavior there? I agree with Lila, animals don't know how to lay on the guilt like a human can. Something may have happened that the kennel may have forgotten to mention. I love Easton!! I was at the Cheesecake Factory on Valentine's night. The best date ever...my mother! High over by OSU is alot of fun too.

Posted by: Jessica Ralston Lila, Thanks for the advice. You actually made me feel better. I have watched Cesar's show, but now I might read one of his books. I also thought maybe something happened while I was away. She does seem better today, and I did baby her way too much yesterday (that was my guilt kicking in.) Thanks again.

Posted by: Lila As much as we love our "babies", dogs aren't people and they don't react like people. Dogs have no clue how to lay on a "guilt trip". That's just not part of their nature. You need to check out "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan on The National Geographic channel. My guess is something happened that scared her while you were gone. (I'm not saying someone did something intentionally to hurt her. It could have been anything: a loud noise, another dog). You need to be the pack leader and not overly pet her or make over her for a day or so. That just reinforces that what she is feeling is OK. You need to stay calm around her and do some extra discipline so she can trust that you are her leader. Dogs live in the moment. She will get over it quickly if you don't let her keep that attitude going. If you do let her keep it going, she will get worse. Cesar Milan also has 2 wonderful books out too. What he does really works. I've proven it over and over again with my dogs.

Posted by: Debbie Don't feel bad Jess, my border collie apparently goes on a hunger strike when kenneled and when I return she's ill and I also have an expensive vet bill. Payback I guess.

Posted by: NATE COME ON JESS...THERES NO WAY SHE WOULD GET THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOR FROM YOU IS THERE???