Pets and Fireworks: Safety Tips to keep your pets safe.

Many People love Fireworks, but...

Most Pets Don't!

Here are some safety tips and things to keep in mind so you and your pets have a safe 4th of July!

Loud noises, flashing bright lights, things flying through the air! The 4th of July=Fireworks.  While most humans many enjoy them, it can often times stress out, scare and confuse a pet.  More pets go missing from July 1st-July 6th than any other time of the year.

1)  Leave your pet indoors...Try to make them comfortable with bedding, toys, plenty of water and food.  Put them in a safe place, so they don't accidentally run out the door when you or a friend opens it.

2)  Turn on some soothing music, the TV or a fan to even out the noise. 

3)  If you have company coming over, let them know your pets are scared of fireworks and so you have put them in a safe area, let them know you prefer they don't go in and see them because, lets face it, no one knows what a scared dog or cat will do.  They may bite, they may try to run...Who knows!

4)  If your pets are outdoors with you, use caution with fireworks.  Most days, you throw a ball and want them to fetch it...Today you may be throwing something that can explode in their face or burn their paw.  While this seems like common sense, I think it bears restating.  DON'T LIGHT FIREWORKS WITH YOUR PETS AROUND!

5)  Make sure they have their collars and tags on.  Even if they don't like it and don't normally wear it, please, please put it on for now.  If they should run, this will be the easiest way for someone to identify your pet.

6)  Try Essential Oils to help calm them.  See our Blog on Essential Oils by clicking here.

7)  If you see an animal running loose, please report it to your local animal control, animal shelter, local rescue groups/lost and found pet sites on facebook.

8)  Glow sticks are fun, but not for pets.  They can chew on them and ingest the contents with can lead to sickness or swallow the plastic, leading to an obstruction or chocking.

9)  I'll be the first one to admit it...Beer is great, but if your going to give it to your pets, make sure it is made for them.  "Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol. If you suspect that your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.", according to the ASPCA.  Stop by Tails to Remember and pick them up some Bowser Beer, it's made for them.

10)  Keep items they don't need to be in out of their reach.  Lighters, bug spray, matches, citronella candles and torches...ANYTHING that they don't need to be in, put out of reach!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July.

So...How do I properly brush my dog?

So…How do I properly brush my dog?

Have you ever been brushing your dog and thought, “Why am I not getting more hair off of him,” “Why are there knots and tangles,” or, “Why is she still shedding so much?”  It could be you’re not doing it quite the right way.  Often times I will hear people tell Sam and Michelle, “Her coat looks so much better after you’ve done it.”  So, they have decided to share a few secrets on how to properly and thoroughly brush your dog.

First of all, you need to know that there are different types of coats.  In fact many types of coats, including Natural Long Hair, Silky, Heavy, Double Coated, Combination, Smooth and Short Coated, Curly and Wavy Coated, Long Coats and the list goes on.  Michelle explained some of the differences in coats and how to brush them to me.  

To make things easier to understand, we combined some of the technical classes of coats into three main groups-Short Coated, Long Coated and Curly, Double or Heavily Coated.

We started with an easy one, Short Coats, which includes smooth coated dogs as well.   A Short Coat is exactly what it sounds like, short, close to the body, usually straight and doesn’t require trimming.  “Short coats shed the most, but because of the hair size, people don’t realize it.  Keeping the dog washed regularly with a high quality pet grade shampoo, using conditioner and weekly brushing helps with the shedding,” according to Michelle.  The use of a “Zoom Groom” brush every few days, and a de-shedding tool once a week is what she recommends.  Brush from the head to the tail in gentle, short strokes.  Slicker brushes are not effective.   Some examples of short coated dogs are Bassetts, Beagles, Pit Bulls, Labradors, Pugs, Rottweilers, Boxers, Great Danes and Bulldogs.

Long Coats-Guess what, they are just what they sound like, long hair.  Some common examples of dogs with this coat type are:  Shih Tzu,  Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Yorkies, full coated Cocker Spaniels and full coated Schnauzers.   Michelle recommends regular bathing with a high quality pet grade shampoo and also recommends using conditioner.  “I start with a slicker brush, going with and against the grain of the hair in short strokes from the head to the tail, followed up with a medium/fine tooth comb to ensure all the tangles are combed out,” says Michelle.  If there are heavy matts or tangles present, you may want to consider taking your dog to a professional groomer, as they have other tools available that they can use to safely remove them. Matts can be dangerous and painfully to your dog, which we will explain more about in a future post, and, if allowed to get to severe, will have to be shaved out.

Curly, Double or Heavily Coated dogs.  Some examples of these types of dogs are Bichon Frise, Poodles, some Doodles, Husky, Golden Retrievers, Shelties, St. Bernard, German Shepherds and Chows.  Again, Michelle recommends regular bathing with a high quality pet grade shampoo and also recommends using conditioner.  She prefers to start with a slicker brush, going with and against the grain of the hair in short strokes from head to tail.  Try to get as close to the skin as possible by parting the hair with one hand and brushing with the other.  Then, follow up with a medium/fine tooth comb to ensure all tangles and undercoat is removed.  The undercoat is the finer hair closest to the skin which is where matts tend to form.  For a Double and Heavy coated dog, use the “Zoom Groom” and deshedding tool as well, there is no need to use them on a curly coated dog as they will not be effective.

Of course, each dog is unique and individual, and there are too many types of coats to explain in this blog, so Sam and Michelle invite you to stop in and bring your dog, so they can evaluate their coat and teach you some “tricks” to make brushing easier, more enjoyable for you and your pet and to give them a beautiful, less shedding coat.  You may also want to consider signing up for the Pristine Program offered at Dames and Sires Beauty Spa which is a regular maintenance program, designed to keep you and your furry friend on a regular schedule at a discounted rate.  Please ask Sam and Michelle for more information on this program and to see how it can help you keep your dogs coat in the best condition possible.

Here are some other tips to help maintain your dogs coat and make brushing easier:  -Make sure the coat is completely dry before beginning any brushing.

-Diet is important and plays a big role in your dog’s coat.

-Use a high quality pet grade shampoo, human shampoo is not ph balanced for pets and can dry out their skin.

Samantha Hudgins owns and operates Dames and Sires Beauty Spa, located at Tails to Remember in Springfield, IL.  Michelle Michael has been an Academy Instructor and groomer for many years.  Together, Sam and Michelle have over 28 years of experience in grooming a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs.  Dames and Sires Beauty Spa is available for all your pet grooming needs, they are now open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be contacted by calling 217-361-5733 or by booking online at DamesandSires.com.  They are located at Tails to Remember Pet Services, 3036 Peoria Road, Springfield, IL 62702.

Small Business is the Backbone of America

"Every major company was once a small business," according to to Aimee Groth and Kim Bhasin from the Business Insider. Consider the garage days for the founders of Microsoft and Apple.

"You need a lot of passion for what you're doing because it's so hard," Steve Jobs once said. "Without passion, any rational person would give up."

After all, bootstrapping a startup is one of the quintessential elements of the American dream.  A small business is defined broadly -- as a company with 500 or fewer employees.

Small Businesses contribute directly to their local area by providing jobs, taxes and reaching out and being active in the community.  In fact, most small business owners are active on park boards, church committees, fraternal organizations, Chamber of Commerce,  school boards, and many other charitable organizations.  Small Business owners are the face of their business and create a bond with their customers.

Here are some facts about what happens when you shop at Tails To Remember Pet Services.

You support over 10 local families and craftsmen.

You Support over 20 American Businesses.

You Contribute to the tax base of your local area.

You help us help over 8 local pet adoption agencies, thereby reducing the euthanasia of countless animals. 

Thankful for...

As November begins, we know how busy and hectic life becomes for everyone.  Work, cooking, shopping, decorating...

We also should take the time to stop and think of what all we are thankful for.  Our family, friends, our pets, food on the table, shelter...

Since I began working with Animal Rescue Organizations, I have learned how important volunteers are and how thankful I am for them.  Without volunteers, much of the work and care simply wouldn't be able to take place, thereby reducing the number of animals each organization can help.  The Greater Springfield area is fortunate to have several wonderful organizations.  While the policies, size and the organizational set up may vary from organization to organization, all of them have one main mission, to help the animals.  All of the organizations can use more volunteers.

Volunteering is fun and gratifying.  There are so many things you can do, maybe you want a dog, but can't have one in your current housing situation, volunteering is a great way to still have interaction with pets.  Going for a walk, feeding, letting a kitten curl up on your lap are all great ways to help.  Maybe you or a family member is allergic to pets, donations are another great way to help. One thing I can say for sure, every organization I have had the privilege to work with has a similar problem.  There is never enough money in the budget.  There also is the need for volunteers to work adoption events and to help with and attend events.  Also, if the shelter has facilities, there is always the need to clean, mow, rake leaves and general maintenance.

Most  shelters do have a training program and may require an application.  Some have set hours for volunteers, others don't.  Please check out all the organizations to see how you may be able to help. Links to local organizations websites are available at www.TailsToRemember.com

So as we enter this season of Thanksgiving, please know that the rescue groups here in the Springfield area are so grateful and thankful to the volunteers that allow them to continue the work of helping each animal one at a time.  Please consider helping anyway you can.  After all, after Thanksgiving, I know that I could use an extra walk or excerise to get those pounds off.