Thank You for Nominating Tails to Remember as a nominee for Emerging Business of the Year!

Tails to Remember Pet Services would like to thank the person or persons who nominated us for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards as a new and emerging business.  It's hard to believe that our Boutique will be open for two years at the end of this month, and even harder to believe that our self service pet wash and full service, onsite pet cremation center have been open just over a year.  We couldn't be happier.

When we were nominated for this award, we knew we were doing something right.  And we knew we were doing something different. Acknowledgement like this means so much. 

When we started planning, many years ago, we knew we didn't want to do the same old thing, so we didn't, and we don't ever plan on it.  From the unique gifts and treats for pets and pet owners in our boutique, to the locally made urns and other remembrance products we offer, we wanted to make sure we were different.  While finding locally made and Made in the USA products can be challenging, we are always up for a challenge. (about 90-95% of our products are locally made, made in Illinois or Made in the USA!)  

We also knew pet owners wanted an easy place to give their pets a bath, but we also knew they didn't want to drag towels and laundry back and forth, so we decided to install a self service pet wash, we decided to provide towels.  Our shampoos are high quality and ph balance for pets.  Our prices are affordable and we work hard to keep our facility clean. 

Yet, we knew not everyone wanted to give their dog or cat a bath themselves.  And I have not met alot of people who like to trim toe nails or even would want to attempt to groom their pet!  (I tried it once, thank goodness it was before "Nailed it" was popular on the web, let's just say, I won't be trying again.)  So the addition of the grooming salon, Dames and Sires Beauty Spa, just seemed logical.  The salon is run independently from Tails to Remember by owner, Samantha Hudgins.  She employs another "Canine Cosmetologist" and a Grooming Assistant.  They use organic shampoos and conditioners and really spend time with your pets.  Therefore, that is the reason it took me over a year to find the right person to rent the salon, we wanted people who love animals and care for them as if they were there own.  In between the three of them across the hall, I believe they could start a small zoo...Horses, prairie dogs, guinea pigs, snakes, pot belly pigs, dogs and cats, you name it, it seems like they have it. 

Of course, the biggest part of our business is also the saddest.  We know the heartache of losing a family member, and we are proud that we have been able to help so many through this process in the past year.  We offer families so much more than just a basic cremation option.  From our ability to brush out and clean up their beloved family member so they can see them one last time, to our unique dual tag identification system, ensuring them that they are receiving their pet's remains, from our ability for families to have a visitation for their pet and even witness cremation if they desire and to even being able to use our facilities to have their vet perform euthanasia services, we have it all and so much more. 

So Thank You to whomever nominated us for this award and Thank you to all those whom we have been able to assist in any way in the past years.  It makes the hard work worth it and we couldn't have done it without you.

 For those who haven't been in to see us, please stop by and check out what we have to offer.  Our Boutique and the grooming salon are open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and of course, for the loss of a pet we are available 24 hours a day by calling 217-725-9511.

Tails to Remember Pet Services

3036 Peoria Road

Springfield, IL 62702

217-725-9511

TailsToRemember.com

info@TailsToRemember.com

To Schedule an appointment with Dames and Sires Beauty Spa, please call 217-361-5733 or online at DamesAndSires.com

Why would I cremate my pet?

To many, their family pet is more than just a dog, a cat, a bird or the many species of pets people have.  They are a part of the family. They curl up on the couch with you, go for rides in the car, snuggle into bed or go for walks or runs with you.  You talk to them, play games with them or simply just give them a pat on the head.  But they are there, your constant companion, maybe even your best friend.

Studies have shown that pets relieve stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, help with depression, improve activity levels and so much more.  Pets have become more a part of our lives, they can go on vacation with you, some restaurants and bars allow them to be “pawtrons”, they can even go shopping with you in some stores.  So… times have changed.  A lot.  

Pets receive advanced health care, dental cleanings, organic treats and spa treatments.  The way we care for them in death has changed too.

It used to be that when you dog or cat died, it was time to go to the back yard, take a shovel, dig a grave, bury your dog, make a make shift grave marker and keep it a private, family affair.  Times have changed.  More and more, pet parents are choosing cremation for their pets.  

The reasons why vary, but here are a few.

First of all, we have become a more mobile society.  Not many people are born in the same house and live there all their lives.  People move for job opportunities, new homes, to be closer to family, to be in a warmer climate or possibly even to get away from family.  That means when you move, you leave trusty Fido buried in the yard.  For some, that is a hard concept to deal with, for others, it may be no big deal.

Others want their pet to always be with them, even buried or scattered with them when they die.

Sometimes it is simply impractical or you may not even be allowed to bury your pet.  Frozen ground in the winter or muddy conditions in the spring and fall sometimes prevent you from being able to bury.  If you rent, many landlords will not let you bury on the rented property.  Some communities also prohibit burial.  In any case, in Illinois, you need to contact J.U.L.I.E. prior to digging.  You may be surprised by what's buried in your yard. That's because most electric, gas, water, sewer and telecommunications companies are delivering utility services underground. 

To avoid personal injury and damage to those underground lines, state law requires you to contact JULIE before any digging project, regardless of the project size or depth. CALL 811 OR 1-800-892-0123. Both the call and JULIE's services are free.  You can visit J.U.L.I.E.’s web site at http://illinois1call.com/homeowners/ to learn more.  Please keep in mind, after calling, you must wait two (2) business days prior to digging.  Failure to contact J.U.L.I.E. may result in you being liable for any damages you cause to the underground utilities.  Heaven forbid you  knock out the cable to the neighborhood during the big game or sweeps week, but even worse, just think about what could happen if you hit a gas or electric line.

Your own personal health may prevent you from digging a grave that is appropriate for your pet.  You have to think about the size of grave that is necessary, it will need to accommodate your pet.  Most Towns and Cities also require 18 inches of earth to cover the remains.  Are you able to safely dig this big of a grave without endangering yourself?

 

These are all reasons cremation has become more popular and I’m sure there are many others depending on who you talk to.  That’s why Tails to Remember is here for you.  We understand the loss of a pet, to us, they are family, and that’s why we offer so many specialized and personalized options.  At Tails to Remember Pet Services, we offer two forms of cremation.  

Private Cremation:  Private Cremation is where only your pet is placed in the cremation chamber.  Private cremation is done one pet at a time.  The cremated remains are returned to you in a wooden temporary container, produced by a local artisan, or you may choose a different urn that fits your style and personality.  Also included is an embossed sealed cremation certificate, information regarding grief and a copy of the “Rainbow Bridge” which can be framed.

Group Cremation:  Group cremation is an economical solution for those wanting their pet cared for in a dignified way, but not wanting the cremated remains returned to them.  Group cremation is the cremation of multiple animals at one time, the cremated remains are not returned to the owner, they are taken to a private farm and scattered by a pond.

Both forms of cremation at Tails to Remember include our unique dual identification system ensuring you are receiving your pets remains back or, in the case of group cremation, that they were in fact cremated.

Still thinking of burial, we can help you there too. From garden markers, caskets and other memorial products, we can help you select options that will be right for you and your family.

Tails to Remember is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Please give us a call or text us at 217-725-9511 with any questions or if you experience the loss of a pet at home.  We can meet with you at your home, your Veterinarian’s office or in our comfortable, relaxing facility.  We even are able to help coordinate with your Veterinarian to have euthanasia services conducted by your vet at our facility. To learn more about all the options we have to offer, stop out and visit us at 3036 Peoria Road, Springfield, IL.  Our regular office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

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.