Tails to Remember is proud to be carrying EarthHeart Essential Oil Mists for your pet!

EarthHeart Essential Oils are now available at Tails to Remember!

Have you heard a friend talk about essential oils?  Maybe you've seen a booth or store touting the benefits of essential oils. It seems they are everywhere, and so is information on them.  Some information is strictly in the form of ads, some in studies, some on websites, some on pamphlets and some by sales people.  The amount of information, proof and hearsay is unbelievable.

This ones better because...We're more pure because...We're the Original... You'll hear it all if you are trying to do research and find what products you want to carry in your store.  Then you have these thoughts in the middle of the night, "Oh my Goodness, what if they mix it wrong?"  Are they going to sue me because they couldn't follow directions?  Or "Wait, I have to stock how many bottles of oils in my store and they cost how much?"  So after about 2 years of looking into the essential oils for pets, I finally found something that I liked, felt confident in, is easy to use and that I can provide at a very modest cost, EarthHeart Essential Oils.

Here are some excerpts of how EarthHeart was started from their founder Vicki Rae Thorne, if you would like to learn more about Vicki, you can check out her whole story at earthheartinc.com/our-story/

In 1996 I founded Earth Heart® Inc. to help others learn how to safely and effectively use herbs and essential oils as part of everyday life. For several years, products were developed for massage, skin, body and baby care – with family and friends as sometimes unwilling products testers!


I wrote a monthly column for a local health magazine, had a small holistic practice, developed and taught continuing and community education classes for 14 years, Aromatherapy for Bodyworkers at the community college for 8 years. My aromatherapy and herbal certifications are through Jeanne Rose Herbal & Aromatherapy Studies, and I’m a long-standing member of the Alliance of International Aromatherapists, American Herbalists Guild, and Women in the Pet Industry Network. 

Things started to change in 1999 when I was approached by a kennel owner who wanted help with calming her canine visitors. The dogs missed their families and felt anxious, agitated, angry or depressed. The formula now known as Canine Calm was developed to diffuse in the kennel – and it helped from day one! Boarders noticed that their dogs were calmer when they left the kennel, and didn’t fret so much when it was time to go back. They asked how they could take that calming experience home with them, so I started making the Canine Calm mist. The other blends for dogs (which are also safe for their human and equine families) followed.

The Earth Heart line of canine products has been in the national marketplace since 2010, and I’m pleased that Earth Heart has built a reputation for designing safe, affordable and effective natural wellness remedies to help create happier, healthier lives. All products are made in the USA, formulated with 100% pure essential oils and other plant-based ingredients, packaged in BPA-free recyclable containers, safe and easy to use in your home, shelter, business and travels.

Some anthropologists believe the birth of human culture is marked with the advent of ritual. These ancient rituals can be traced back more than 5000 years. They included the burning of aromatic roots and woods for physical healing, and resins for spiritual healing. While ancient humans may have believed the ritual smoke simply carried their requests to the gods and goddesses who then sent them healings, these ritual fumigations released volatile oils in the plants with properties we know today as antiseptic, immune boosting, relaxing, and sometimes mind-altering. 

Earth Heart® Inc. has been at the forefront of bringing this ancient tradition to modern users, formulating essential oil remedies since 1992. Whether through steam distillation, cold pressing or CO2 extraction, pure essential oils are generally more powerful than the botanicals from which they are extracted. Any time you hold a bottle of Earth Heart’s essential oil remedies, you are holding nature's pure essence of health-promoting botanicals that can be diffused, inhaled, or applied topically when safely diluted in our aromatherapy mists, balms or wipes.

The Essential Oil mist and towelettes we carry at Tails to Remember are Canine Calm, Travel Calm and BuzzGuard.  We do not currently carry the Essential Oil Concentrates for diffusing, but are happy to order them for you.  We have had several people try these products on their own pets and the results have been overwhelming.  And they are easy to use, no mixing, no playing chemist, no did I add that one already and no overdoing it.  We have seen and heard the benefits of essential oils everywhere, from cleaning, to health and more, and we felt comfortable after talking with Vicki and others that have used these products that these would be a great fit for our pets and our clients.

This month's Spotlight on Rescue group is REGAP (Retired Greyhound As Pets) of Illinois. 

Check them out at https://regapgreyhounds.org/

April is Adopt a Greyhound month!

Every year in the overly competitive sport of greyhound racing, hundreds of dogs are "retired" because they are either too slow or have been injured. That's where groups like REGAP come into play. REGAP is a non profit, greyhound adoption group, founded with the goal of finding these retired athletes homes once their racing careers have ended. These are perfectly healthy dogs with a lot of years left and a lot of love to give.


The group is based in Mendota, Illinois but has representatives in several cities around the state who conduct "Meet & Greets" at local pet stores and participate in local events to promote greyhound adoption. Volunteers bring their own personal pets so people can meet a greyhound up close and personal. Adoptable dogs are at the kennel in Mendota and must be seen there and can be viewed online at https://regapgreyhounds.org/available-greys/



They are billed as the second fastest land mammal in the world, second only behind the cheetah. Don't let that scare you into thinking that you will need acres to allow them to run. They also have the nickname of "45 MPH Couch Potato"! They are quiet, mild mannered and actually make great apartment dogs. You do have to commit to not allowing them off leash except in a fully enclosed area. The adoption process is pretty easy but you will have to make 2 trips to the kennel in Mendota as they do not do on the spot adoptions. You can find the adoption process here: https://regapgreyhounds.org/adoption-process/

A Special Thanks to Cheryl Carroll, from REGAP, for providing this information.

Please follow us and REGAP on facebook for upcoming events here at Tails To Remember and to see when REGAP will be here for a meet and greet!

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. 

Your feet Hurt...What about your dog's?

You’re on your feet all day long, after walking all day, they hurt and are sore.  You take your shower, trim your nails, rub your feet and suddenly it hits you….What about Fido?  He has 4 feet, his nails are thick and long and he has no shoes for protection from salt, gravel or anything sharp.  Here are some tips for foot care for your dogs from Dames and Sires Beauty Spa.

Dog’s nails grow quickly and if left untrimmed for too long, can give them difficulty with traction, let alone causing severe pain, which could lead to medical issues, like walking irregular, which can lead to skeletal problems.  “Nails typically should be trimmed every two to four weeks, and we highly recommend filing,” says Michelle Michael from Dames and Sires Beauty Spa.

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know there was a difference or even an option, neither did I, but the ladies at Dames and Sires have explained and showed me the differences.

Trimming-Trimming is basically is cutting off the sharp, long tips and making the nails shorter again, while avoiding cutting the quick, which is the blood vessel supply and the nerve in your dogs nail.

Filing-Filing follows trimming, and is done with a filer. “It allows us to get closer to the quick, making the nail as short as possible, without causing pain or bleeding of the nail.  It also helps the quick recede, making it possible for us to get the nails shorter in subsequent visits.  It also smoothes the rough edges of the nail after trimming,” says Michelle.

Long nails cause many issues such as allowing the quick to grow with the nail, which if left untrimmed for too long of a time can make the nail become frail and easy to fracture, and in some cases allow the quick to grow to the total length of the nail, making trimming both dangerous and painful.  (Remember, there’s a blood vessel and nerve in it.)  It is important to not try to trim a long nail short all at once, as it will take time for the quick to recede.

Trimming the hair in the paw pad area can help your dog feel better too.  The hair traps dirt, debris, burrs and many other unwanted objects which can not only make your house dirty and muddy, but can cause other problems for your dog.

Also make sure you check their paw pads, even though the pads are a thick, tough skin, they still can become cut from sharp objects like rocks or salt, they can also become irritated from chemicals in yards, ice melt and a variety of other conditions.

To help prevent these things from occurring, we recommend a regular grooming schedule for your dog.

Although the basic treatment packages include nail trimming and removal of paw pad hair,  the groomers  at Dames & Sires Beauty Spa also offer nail filing, paw butter and/or  Paw Spaw treatments as an add on service.  Call them at 217-361-5733 to ask about their new amazing Spaw treatments which include soaking their paws in a luxurious, anti-fungal and anti-septic fizzy treatment, trimming, filing and Paw Butter to lock in moisture.

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.

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.

Why is brushing your pet so important?

We are beginning a series of blog post about grooming and caring for your pets.  Today’s topic is, “Why is Brushing your Pet Important?”

When I first started  thinking about topics for my Blog Post, I wanted to tackle some of the common issues we hear from Pet owners, so I sat down with Sam and Michelle from Dames and Sires Beauty Spa and asked them what are some of the issues they see and what are some of the questions they get asked? 

First of all, I asked, “Why is Brushing so Important?”  Both of them responded, “Do you think we want to shave a dog or cat who has a perfectly healthy coat of hair, except they are knotted, tangled and matted?”  I then asked, what are the benefits of brushing, besides the obvious of making them look great?  “Brushing helps remove dead hair and helps with the natural shedding process and prevents matting,” said Samantha Hudgins, owner of Dames and Sires Beauty Spa.  Michelle chimed in and mentioned that it’s also a great way to look at the overall health of their skin and coat.  “When brushing, look at their skin, see if there are any fleas, hot spots, burrs or inflammation,” said Michelle Michael, a canine stylist at Dames and Sires.  Both agreed that regular daily brushing helps promote your pet’s coats natural sheen, and who doesn’t like a massage, which is what brushing is like to most pets.  I think the response that left me the most compelled to brush Scotch is what both Sam and Michelle said, “It’s great bonding time.”  And after all, who doesn’t like to bond with their pet.  Proper brushing doesn’t take long and we’ll explore ways to properly brush your pet(s) in future posts, but for now, give your pet a “brushing massage” and bond with them for awhile.

Samantha Hudgins owns and operates Dames and Sires Beauty Spa, located at Tails to Remember in Springfield, IL.  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 grooming needs, they are open Wednesday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and  can be contacted by calling 217-361-5733 or book online at DamesandSires.com.  They are located at Tails to Remember Pet Services, 3036 Peoria Road, Springfield, IL 62702.

Are Your Pets Messing with Your Sex Life? - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

This is the final post on our pets in bed series.  If you missed the first two, check out our blog post to catch up.  We have offered opposing views on the subject, but thought, this one is important as well.  After you've read the articles, please visit our facebook page and let us know what you think, do you let your pets sleep with you, or banish them to another room?.  We are just curious how many people let their pets sleep with them.

Are Your Pets Messing with Your Sex Life?

by Dorri Olds

There are times you want that warm, sweet, furry body nuzzled against yours in bed. (Sorry, guys, we’re talking about the pets.) And there are times (now, gents, we’re talking about you) that you don’t.

Should pets exit the room when it's sex time, or hunker down with you, in full view, until it's over? 

In a random sampling of pet-owning couples, all said they allow their pets to sleep with them in bed. But when they try to use that bed for another pastime that didn’t involve sleep, respondents were evenly split on whether their other love mates should continue their bedroom privileges – or be temporarily banished. Among the comments in both camps:

Let ‘em Stay

Prying eyes: “When we have sex, the cat sits there and stares at us,” says one interviewee. “When she starts sniffing around, my husband pushes her away. We made it work. Now, we have a second cat in the bed and he snores. Does it put a damper on things? Not really. I tell myself that cats do it in front of the whole world, so from their perspective what we are doing is perfectly normal.”

Exploring new terrority: “We got our first Yorkie two months after we moved into our house. She lasted one night in a crate and then became a permanent fixture in our bed. She has been spooning my husband for 14 years now and sighs when she can't get next to him. So, yes, it puts a damper on spontaneous sex in the bedroom. But there are other rooms in the house to sneak off to.”

Speaking in (wagging) tongues: “The dogs just look at us like, ‘Here they go again’ and slowly move to the end of the bed. Then, every few minutes they do a quick glance as if to say, ‘Enough already.’ When they’ve had all they can take they retreat to the living room and slowly work their way back, checking to see if all is quiet again. If not, they go back to the living room as if to say, ‘Can’t you two get a room?’”

Animal magnetism = well-groomed canines: “Yes, they do put a damper on sex. There’s nothing like a cold dog nose against my rear end to break the mood. We have tried a crate and shutting the bedroom door, but both without success. They whine and cry because they want to be with us. Or maybe with just me — I have that animal magnetism thing going on. Our solution? We accept it and laugh it off and we live for the days they go to the groomer!”

Keep ‘em Out

Taking cover: “The first dog we let sleep in our bed was a dachshund and there is no negotiating with them. They make themselves right at home, under the covers, whether you want them to or not. Yes, it sometimes puts a damper on things. So we put the dogs outside of the bedroom and lock the door and they’re pretty good.”

Happy reunions. “We have to kick our dog out. He’s okay in the beginning but when one of us gets vocal he doesn't like that. Not only do we have to shut the door but we have a piece of baby gate we set up in front of it because he kept scratching the door. When we let him back in, it's always a joyful doggie kissy fest on the bed, so we’re all happy.”

No fuss when we frolic: “It was never a question about them sleeping with us, that was a given. When we are getting our groove on we make sure to put the ‘kids’ in another room so it doesn’t disrupt us and make anything feel weird. It’s almost like they understand not to cause a fuss.”

So what do the experts say?

“There is nothing wrong with pets sleeping in the bed unless they use that position to the owner’s disadvantage,” says animal behaviorist and author Darlene Arden. “Then they should lose the privilege until they can behave in a more generous manner.”

Adds Marty Klein, PhD, author of Sexual Intelligence and other books about sexuality: “Pet owners can arrange almost anything they want. If you can’t train your pet to do what, you need to (teach them) to behave better. People use the uncontrollability of their pet as an excuse. When a couple says to me, ‘We have no choice, we don’t want to make the pet uncomfortable or we can’t make the pet do what we want them to do,’ what I hear is, ‘We’d rather discomfort ourselves than discomfort the animal.’”

When you want to keep both species happy, it may help to ensure the four-legged variety is too tired to be a distraction:

“For cats, I suggest playtime for the pets before bedtime,” says Arden. “Take out an interactive wand toy to play with the cat, and tire her enough to fall asleep. Give her a treat and put her in another room with her scratching post, food, water, a bed, and a couple of safe toys to play with. And of course, a litter box.

“For dogs,” she adds, “I suggest a long walk and some play before bedtime. Give him a treat, put him in a separate room with a bed or a crate with the door open, water and toys. You want him to be happy and tired enough not to care because he’d rather sleep.”