How will I know when?

How will I know when?

This is a question we are often asked, and quite honestly, there is no easy answer.  If your pet can no longer do with you and your family the things they once enjoyed, if your pet cannot respond to you in their normal ways, or if there is more pain than pleasure in his or her life, you may need to consider euthanasia. Likewise, if your pet is terminally ill or critically injured, or if the financial or emotional cost of treatment is beyond your means, euthanasia may be a valid option.  You know your pet, and yourself, the best.

Your veterinarian understands attachment to pets, and can examine and evaluate your pet's condition, estimate your pet's chances for recovery, and discuss potential disabilities and long-term problems. He or she can explain the medical options and possible outcomes. Because your veterinarian,  nor anyone else, can make the euthanasia decision for you, it is important that you fully understand your pet's condition. If there is any part of the diagnosis  that you don't understand, ask to have it explained again. Rarely will the situation require an immediate decision. Usually, you will have time to review the facts before making your decision.

As you make your decision, you may wish to discuss the care of your pet's remains with your family and veterinarian. You have several options, and the staff at Tails to Remember can provide information about burial, cremation, or other alternatives.  We even have the option of having your vet come to our facility to perform euthanasia, thereby eliminating the uncomfortableness you may experience if you will be going back to the vet's office again sometime in the near future.  We also have the options of a visitation for your pet and even a funeral.  Please call us or stop in to discuss any of the options we have available to you.  Of course, should something unexpected happen, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 217-725-9511.  

Halloween Costume Ideas for your Pets

Halloween Safety Tips from the ASPCA

Halloween can be the spookiest night of the year, but keeping your pets safe doesn’t have to be tricky. The ASPCA recommends taking these simple, common sense precautions to keep your pet happy and healthy all the way to November 1.

Stash the Treats
The candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not Scruffy or Fluffy. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Watch the Decorations and Keep Wires Out of Reach
While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

Be Careful with Costumes
For some pets, wearing a costume may cause undue stress. The ASPCA recommends that you don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. If you do dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

Be sure to have your pet try on the costume before the big night. If he or she seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting your pet wear his or her “birthday suit” or don a festive bandana instead.

Keep Pets Calm and Easily Identifiable

Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors arriving at the door, and too many strangers can often be scary and stressful for pets. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. While opening the door for guests, be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. And always make sure your pet it wearing proper identification—if for any reason he or she does escape, a collar with ID tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver for a lost pet.

The Tale of Tails

Many people have asked, "How did Tails to Remember came about."  Honestly, this guy.

This is Scotch.  A long, long time ago.  Right about 16 years ago to be exact.

He's been right beside me a good portion of my life.  Through the ups and downs and the good times and the bad.  He's always been there to curl up and listen, lick my tears when I cry, hog the bed and covers and I'm not so sure he can't smile and laugh as well.  And he's always there to wake me up in the morning, sample my dinner, go for a car ride, boat ride, swim or walk.  And he's always waiting for me at the door when I get home.  So I simply decided to build a place where he could come to work with me, get great treats, take a bath, get his nails done, and ultimately in the end, a place where I could take care of him.  Even though he doesn't come to work much anymore (He likes his couch at home), I know those big brown eyes and wagging tail will be waiting at the door at home when I walk in.

Over the next few posts, he'll be showing you around Tails to Remember and let you know what all we have to offer and you'll get to hear more of the Tales at Tails.