Article I Wrote For My Firm's Intranet...

Woodlands Closing to Affect 600+ Greyhounds

by Sarah Estlund

The Woodlands Racetrack in Kansas City is closing August 24th. The Kansas City chapter of REGAP (Retired Greyhounds as Pets) has reported there are between 600 and 900 Greyhounds at the track whom will be homeless. Greyhound rescue estimates they will be able to get 200 into the rescue network, meanwhile, the remaining 400-700 will be 'returned' to the breeders and likely put-to-sleep. RECAP needs as much help as they can in obtaining fosters, adoptions, and transports. Transports would be volunteers willing to drive dogs to various rescues in the Midwest, or adoptive homes. PLEASE contact them if you can help and forward to friends you know who may be able to help, as well. Kansas City REGAP can be reached at 816-763-3333. www.rescuedgreyhounds.com You can also contact Pups without Partners 913-299-9797 x427 http://pups-without-partners.org/.

Not sure if rescuing a Greyhound is for you?

The Greyhound Personality

It is a common misconception that greyhounds are hyperactive and that they need a lot of exercise. Nothing could be further from the truth! Most greyhounds are gentle couch potatoes that need a few walks and one or two runs in an enclosed area each week. As with any breed, younger dogs need more exercise than older dogs.

The Greyhound History

Greyhounds are the oldest breed of dog. They are sighthounds. For more than 5,000 years, they have been bred to chase. They can run at speeds of up to 45 mph.

Greyhounds must always be on leash

Since Greyhounds were bred to chase, this means they might go after a piece of litter in the wind and find themselves in front of a car before you or the driver has reacted. No matter how well trained your dog is, nothing is as strong as mother nature. Automobiles are the second-leading cause of premature greyhound deaths. So, as always, use your best judgment and keep your precious greyhound on a leash at all times!

Greyhounds and your backyard

Greyhounds should not be left unattended in a yard, particularly if the fence is six feet or less. They are incredible jumpers.

Greyhounds and the elements

They are also very thin skinned and should not be exposed to the elements (heat or cold). Greyhounds have half the body fat of other breeds and are more sensitive to the cold.

Greyhounds and kids

Most greyhounds are very tolerant of small children. As with any dog, children should be supervised and should not be permitted to abuse the dog. Normally a greyhound that is being abused will walk away. In rare instances they have been known to snap at the child.

Greyhounds and cats

Most greyhounds are fine with cats. Be sure the adoption agency knows you have cats. They will be happy to introduce you to cat-friendly dogs. As a precaution, the greyhound should be muzzled for the first few days he's home. Once he realizes the cats are part of the family, there should be no trouble. Many greyhounds are actually afraid of cats.

Greyhounds and muzzles

When you see greyhounds together at the track, they are always muzzled. There are a couple of reasons for this. When they are actually running, they are very competitive and will sometimes nip at another dog's neck. With their thin skin, this can run up vet bills.As with all dogs, greys are pack animals. Many people feel that due to their long history their pack instinct is stronger than most other dogs. Pack behavior also requires weeding out of injured dogs that may compromise the safety of the pack as a whole. If a dog somehow becomes injured, it is possible the other dogs will turn on it. Again, this is not unique to greyhounds. But with their thin skin, muzzles are mandatory when more than two dogs are together.

Greyhounds and shedding

While it's not true that greyhounds don't shed at all, most of them don't shed much. Their fur is very short. Unless they get into something, they can be bathed as little as two or three times a year.

Greyhounds and allergies

Most people that are allergic to dogs are fine with greyhounds and a few other breeds.

Additional considerations

Greyhounds are extremely sensitive to stress and can end up literally sick to their stomachs, with severe digestive upsets and neurotic behaviors, if the people in their home are having family problems. Sighthounds are peaceful, sensitive dogs who need a peaceful, harmonious home.Housebreaking- Some ex-racing dogs are easily housebroken, while others learn much more slowly. Health problems- Greyhounds are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat. In addition, an alarming number of Greyhounds die early of cancer.

Beginning of the week

The weekend was fabulous, and the week (all 24 hours of it) have been wonderful so far. The latter part of my weekend consisted of boating with friends Saturday afternoon, hanging with Tommy, Bibi and Peanut Saturday night, laying by the pool Sunday with Lauren and her friend Candace...

Now we're into Tuesday and the first part of the week has been great! I had a date last night, which went very well. It was really good to see him; he has been gone for awhile on a family vacation and it was well worth the wait. I hope to see him again, soon.

So, a few stories from the weekend. Saturday morning I woke up, read the paper, cleaned, gave the dogs some love, and headed down to Lees Summit. I met up with everyone at Jessi and Chad's house and then we headed to Lakewood Lake. Or something like that, I keep forgetting what its called. But it was beautiful and supposedly Mike Sweeney owns a home on the lake and everything. We hung out on the pontoon boat all afternoon. Music, beers, cigarettes, music, good times! Then there was this one girl. We'll call her....WT. WT was pretty much the most socially retarded person I have ever hung out with. She flicked ashes on their leather seats, proceeded to ask Jessi to wait on her hand and foot (Jessi being the host) and made rude comments. At one point, as WT was laying in the water on Jessi's floaty, WT said "Hey you- light me a cigarette, will you? And hand me a beer, this one's warm." 1) "Hey you" was Jessi. The host. The person who's boat WT WAS ON for the day. 2) WT didn't buy anything for the day - Jessi bought everything; including all the beer. So, is that really acceptable to discard one because its warm when you didn't even contribute? 3) I just wanted a number 3.

At one point we were all sitting in the boat, looking for a cove to go to, and WT turned to me (in front of everyone) and exclaimed, "RED BULL!?!? WTF???" Thank goodness I had my sunglasses on so she couldn't see the daggers I was shooting her way. Another girl, said "uh, WT, she doesnt drink" (First of all, is it THAT FUCKING ODD to not have a beer in my hand at 11:00am on a Saturday? I mean, granted it is drinking time somewhere but c'mon it isn't that odd!)

WT: "you dont drink??? WHY?!?"

Me: "I drank for 10 years, got it out of my system, no biggie."

WT: "I've drank for 10 years too, should I quit drinking???"

Me: "Well, if this is how you act when you DO drink maybe you should consider it!"

At that point I realized it was really a good thing I HAD quit drinking otherwise I would've had to kick her ass, and by that I mean I would've wrestled with her but since she was twice my size she would've put one boob on me and suffocated me. Either that, or I may have slipped on the make-up that was caked onto her leathery skin and hit my head on the side of the boat and since silicon floats she wouldn't have been able to drown with me.

Wow, what a judger I am today!

So, that was Saturday. Saturday evening I called Tommy around 6:45. I was supposed to go to a party that night, and I could've gone to Power & Light with Lauren and her friends, but I really wanted to relax at home. I called Tommy and he invited me down to have dinner with them. Of course, since I had already driven to Lees Summit that day I couldn't afford to drive to Raytown without second-mortgaging my home. So, I whined and pouted a little and next thing I know, they're bringing Peanut AND dinner up to me! It was perfect. We just chillaxed until 10:30 or so then I went to bed. Oh wait - We ALSO did my budget. I am so excited to start this. It's not like I am in dire straights or anything, especially considering we're near an economic depression or, are we technically IN an economic depression? Recession, depression, whatever it is scary regardless. I have a strict budget until October which is when I just basically start working toward my savings. I'm excited!

Sunday morning I went to the grocery store. I 'budgeted' what I would allow myself to spend and stuck to it. Yay! Lauren and Candace came home around noon; they'd already begun their Sunday morning with bloody marys! We went to a pool for the afternoon it was a BEAUTIFUL pool. So gorgeous. We all got quite a bit of sun!

I am looking forward to my family vacation which is this next week. My sister flies in Saturday morning - I think we're going boating with friends again. We leave Sunday morning for the Ozarks. Everyone is staying until the following Saturday. I have opted to come back Thursday night (although this isn't yet set in stone) due to the fact I am not comfortable taking an entire week off of work at this point. And...I don't want to leave Lauren with the dogs for more than 5 nights which, I think 5 is a lot anyway. We'll see. I am still contemplating. The girls at work think I would be crazy to come in and work Friday. But, I see it as an opportunity to come in for a totally relaxed Friday, catch up on emails, put out any fires, and enjoy Saturday and Sunday!

Thanks for reading.

An Ode To Amy McGillicuddy

Yes ya'll, Amy McGillicuddy is my sister. SEESTER. She is pretty much awesome. She called me today to tell me she and Alix took the little pitbull puppy next door for a walk. Amy makes sure he - Troy - or Wilbur, as she now to tragically is refering to the poor lil guy, anyway she makes sure he is being taken care of properly. Take away the fact that he lives his entire life outside chained up, his only shelter a beat-up El Camino. His only food the food Amy gives him, his only water, the water she puts in his bowl and his only attention, the attention Amy, Alix or Savannah give him. But, regardless, it's pretty fucking cool that she is taking him under her wing.



But, Amy is cool for other reasons too. She and I fought pretty badly growing up. Yes, I know most sisters fight growing up but our fighting was more severe, more biting. Regardless, I feel that history has only made us the friends we are today and I thank God for her. She is tough and independent yet easily breaks. She is street-wise yet innocently naive. She tries to be the peace-maker amongst friends and family yet is only human and likes to indulge in a good dramatic gossip session.

She lives in Atlanta and since becoming my best friend in the past 5 years I think it would just kick ass if she would move her big booty to Kansas City. However there is this little thing called a jobby-job...which, she would most likely need to move to KC. I fully support her becoming a world-famous Barista (ulterior motive being free chai tea) but she thinks just because she spent a kazillion dollars on her advanced education, that she needs to do something more "noteworthy". I say, Whatev. WHAT-EV.

She cries when she thinks she has hurt someones feelings and she can say "I'm sorry" without flinching. She likes me better sober and doesn't think I'm crazy for having three dogs. She gets really sad when she thinks about Savannah getting older and she gets really excited when thinking about the beautiful old home she will buy here in KC.

Okay, well I'm at work and this is mushy enough so thanks for reading:)

My So Called Life...

It was the name of a show in the late 90s..anyone, anyone? Bueller...Bueller? So, it's Friday - Thank Goodness!! Melissa and I left at 4:00, she brought me home, I went to the gym for a quick run, then came home, showered and grilled pork chops for Lauren and I. Now, I'm chillaxin with my awesome dogs, blogging, waiting for Lauren and we're going to start a movie, "Definitely Maybe".

I went out for dinner with Rachelle and her two nieces, ages 8 and 11, last night. It was Rachelle's bday. I was raised that your birthday is the most exciting day of the year; I'm pretty sure I've had a gorilla come serenade me at school, I've been sent flowers, I've been sent concert tickets (Richard Marx) I have been givin jewelry and clothes and "boom boxes" I am pretty sure I have had the best birthdays ever. One year, my mom and sister decorated the sidewalk and driveway and t-p'd the house for my birthday. My point is, because birthdays have always been a huge deal, they always will be. And as midnight approaches on the night of a feeling of sadness and disapointment comes over me as I know I must wait another year for the next big birthday celebration. Since moving to Kansas City, I have had a "birthday dinner" every year at the same place with all my girlfriends. I so look forward to it. The same core group of girls remains the same; others come and go. Its so awesome and memorable to spend my birthday with my best girlfriends, those who are most important to me. My sister even flew in for my 30th bday dinner. My cousin Angela hasn't missed a year...so wonderful.

Anyway, Rachelle's bday was yesterday. She and her fiance were in an argument. I emailed her yesterday morning to let her know I would have loved to take her out for Sheridans, Starbucks, playdate with the dogs, we could grill out, whatever she wanted to do. She told me her Dad and step-mom, fiance Eric, and two nieces were all going to dinner and did I want to come? I said "surely!" Well, about 6:00 last night I get a text from Rachelle that it would just be her two nieces and her, and did I still want to go. I called her and told her how special she was and of course you dumb ass, I want to go it is your birthday! So, next was deciding on a place Rachelle would be happy with, being that it was her birthday, and an 8 year-old and 11 year-old would be happy with. Well, we went to Red Lobster. It was so much fun. I can say I had never had dinner with an 8 and 11 year-old and it was definitely an experience. This 8 year-old, Kimber, was wittier and more hysterical than any 30 year-old I know. And what an absolute doll. Her older sister Gabby was a sweetheart as well. "Please" and "Thank you" and "Ma'am" and "Sir". I loved it! I hope Rachelle had a good birthday, she certainly deserved it. I'm pretty sure she did.

Another reason I ran so hard at the gym tonight...have you ever had those biscuits at Red Lobster?!?

3.6 Miles on the Treadmill...

I feel so good today. After the day I had yesterday all I wanted to do when I got home was pop open an O'Douls and lay on the couch with my dogs. And text message. But as soon as I got home I let the dogs out, changed and headed to the gym. I hopped on the treadmill and from there I was like Forest Gump; I just kept running and running and running. It felt great! I worked any aggression out and felt just fabulous. I slept awesome last night and can't wait to go again tonight. Except, I think I may do the elliptical with Melissa - we'll see. Or, maybe the stairmaster. I got the pictures back from Jessi's wedding and while I realize the day was about her and not about me, I AM in the pictures and it is quite noticeable that I have rather buff arms. So, my goal is to slim them down.

Okay well, I wrote this blog last week so I'm going to go ahead and publish without any more revisions...:)

Purpose of a Blog?

Okay so, I really don't know what the official definition of the 'purpose of a blog' is but WOAHHHH have I had some feedback thus far. Seriously? On a blog? Okay people, let me break it down for you; I love to write, I like to tell stories (exaggerate) and I need a creative outlet. YOU KNOW I will confront you if I have an issue so get it out of your head right now that if I am blogging I am being passive-aggressive and don't have the balls to tell you you're irritating me. The first blog, about the person who was complaining about how much she had to do? She is a co-worker and I chatted with her about it, so if you read that blog and thought it was about you - STOP FLATTERING YOURSELF I DIDN'T BLOG ABOUT YOU! This time anyway. You don't have to read my blog. I just am having fun writing about issues and questions and observations, experiences, and frustrations so...lighten up!

Paralegal Party

Let me just say I LOVE THE GIRLS I WORK WITH. Sure, we get stressed a lot and are bitchy to each other and make fun of each other but at the end of the day when it is all said and done; they're the best ever! There is Melissa, the bitch and ring-leader. She and I exchange "yo mama" jokes all day and all night. She is a dog-lover, animal activist, crazy-dog-lady as well. She works with Pit rescue groups and SNKC with me. She is a riot. She has a heart of gold even though she thinks she is all tough; we can see right through it. She would do anything for anyone, except NO HUGS.



And, there is Kristen. She was the one I liked first and she is the most level-headed and not moody. Although she is quite eccentric. She eats carrots and tuna for an afternoon snack. Need I say more? Her husband just left for France for 6 months, she is going to school AND interning at a local ABC affiliate ALL while working 45+ hours a week.

Deanna is a doll. She is a hard worker and knows how to have fun. She started as a part-time assistant to us and has pretty much become a full-time+ paralegal. We have TOO MUCH FUN. Example:
Background info: I work on the 6th floor of a Bank Building in downtown KC. Since we're in a bank building there is always a police officer on duty on the Mezzanine Level. You can exit the building from level 1, Mezz, or level 2. For all intents and purposes of this story, we exit on the Mezz and walk by the cop everytime.
So, today around 11:30, Melissa, Kristen, Deanna and me decided to walk to Starbucks. We took the elevator to the Mezz, got off, and walked through the bank. Passing the cop...Kristen (random girl) whispers to us "Guys, I just had this urge to touch his gun."

Silence.

Melissa, "Which gun?!"

Laughter.

As you can see from my descriptions above, Kristen is spread rather thin right now and we're quite sure it is affecting her sanity.

So all the while to Starbucks we're making fun of Musengisms (her last name + isms) and all the funny random things she has said lately. But, "guys, I just had an urge to touch his gun. I really want to touch his gun." topped them all off.

We get back from Starbucks and go back to 6th Floor to our desks. Some time passes, and Deanna and I decide to walk down to the CVS store down the street. As we get off on the Mezz level Deanna turns to me and tells me about her idea...wouldn't it be hysterical to walk back up to 6 with the cop?? So he could go up to Kristen's cube and say something funny about touching his gun??

So basically we go up to the cop and explain our situation. Meanwhile Marcus, the hysterical little gay bank teller is just laughing uncontrollably. I tell the cop "it's been a really stressful week....my friend has this 'thing' for cops...we would really appreciate this...it would totally make the entire department on 6 laugh...please please please.." and then I look at Deanna because I can't seem to bring myself to say "she wants to touch your gun" so, bless her heart, Deanna says "And...She wants to touch your gun. Pretty much."

Silence.

Marcus, "Which gun?"

Laughter again.

Well the cop, who we have now learned his name is Chris, is a completely awesome sport and totally wants to go along with it.

All the way up the elevator to 6 D and I cannot stop laughing. We get to 6, walk down the hallway toward Kristen's desk. We can hear her saying something random like "Well what did you guys get me at CV....oh shit!" Her face turned about 12 shades of red. Melissa from the other side of the room starts laughing uncontrollably. It was sooo hysterical!! I am laughing out loud just reliving the moment. So Chris the Cop goes around to Kristen in her cubicle, with his legs shoulder width apart, his hands on his hips, he looks right at her and says "I hear you have a request?"

Kristen was laughing and mortified and buckled over she was laughing so hard. It was at this point that she actually reached out and, TOUCHED HIS GUN!!

I hope someone else out there in blog land finds this as funny as I did. Maybe we're all so strung out and burnt out at the firm that we would have found any comic relief funny. But it was priceless!!

Thanks for reading!

My Crush

After my most recent experience; falling in love, trusting, believing, giving the benefit of the doubt and forgiving, and forgiving, and forgiving, and coming out of the situation betrayed and broken-hearted, I was pretty scared I wouldn't be able to do so again. Well, I've had a few dates with someone, we'll call him T, and I think he is the cat's meow. He is tall and handsome and opens doors. He makes me laugh and has a great sense of humor (well...because he gets my sarcasm I suppose). My head tells me to take things slowly but that's just not the kind of person I am; I jump into everything full speed. Coaching, animals, shopping, cleaning, working-out, you name it, I jump into it full speed ahead.

That's about all I am going to say about that for right now.

It feels good, to have a crush. On a good, good person. Who has a crush back.

My first blog - and busy women?

My sister told me I would be fired as a sister if I started a blog. Amy please don't fire me! This is sooo fun!! Besides, I'm quite sure Hanah Montana has a blog as well. So, that should make it perfectly culturally acceptable. By 12 year-olds. I didn't expect to have to name the blog, and the last book I read that I really enjoyed was "Nicholas's Diary for Suzanne" so, that is how I came up with Sarah's Diary for Misha. If you're reading this blog, you know who Misha was.

The event that triggered my desire to begin a blog was this: lately I have heard women in my life talk about how busy they are and how they can't get everything done. Example: I asked someone how their night was as they replied "sooo busy. I cleaned, did laundry, emptied the dishwasher, I can't believe how busy I was and it was my only free night all week." Hmmm...let's see here - I work 50+ hours every week, maintain a household, volunteer my time at animals shelters and SNKC, workout 4-5 times/week, grocery shop, my house is spotless, etc. etc. etc. This is not a "oh, woe is me" this is a "seriously people? how can you feel you are so busy when I am able to get so much done?" Let's see here; I woke up at 5am, fed and watered the dogs, got dressed and make-uped for work, unloaded the dishwasher, made my bed and cleaned the house (I never leave my house messy) and made coffee. Now I will work from 6am- about 5pm or so. When I go home I will pay a few bills, take care of the dogs, and meet Melissa at the gym by 6:15. I will get home around 7:45, eat dinner, feed and water the dogs, catch up on some emails and reading, and go to bed.

Thanks for reading.
Sarah