Maximum’s NYC Tails Untold Personalized Adventure Book- A very pleased purchaser

Yes, I have received my book. I am very pleased with it. You did a super job on it. We laugh every time we look at it. I have shared it with More »

A Happy Fan – Storm’s Tails Untold Personalized Pet Book

Hello Tails Untold, I got the book today.  Thank you so much, it is amazing!   You did a lovely job, thank you, again.  Larissa from Australia. More »

Should I Adopt One Cat or Two?

When it comes to adopting a new cat or kitten, the question often arises is it better to adopt two so they can have companionship when we are not home? There are More »

New Babies and Your Pets

A new baby is on the way and your pets will need to adjust. After all, they were the new babies first. It is a lot like preparing a sibling for a More »

Sebastian is a Celebrity

Tails Untold is very proud to announce that Sebastian, who recently was the Star of a Tails Untold New York City Adventure Book was just featured in an article in the New More »

New York Animal Care & Control

Tails Untold will be participating in the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show on February 10th/  http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/.   A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the NYC Animal Care & Control Organization. http://www.nycacc.org.  “Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C) is the largest pet organization in the northeast rescuing nearly 40,000 animals each year. As a not-for-profit organization since 1995, AC&C has been responsible for NYC’s municipal shelter system, rescuing, caring for, and finding loving homes for homeless and abandoned animals in NYC. To service all NYC communities, AC&C facilities operate in all five boroughs.”

Please come and visit our table and see our Personalized Pet Books and learn how you can create your own.   Bring your pet for a natural treat or a drink of water.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Check out those chicken jerky treats for dogs!

Check out those chicken jerky treats you feed your dog. Look at the label to see if they are manufactured in China.  Be aware that some jerky treats may be linked to  a condition that resembles Fanconi syndrome. Fanconi syndrome affects the kidney tubes and can be heritable in some dogs, or acquired. The acquired form can be caused by heavy metal poisoning or certain chemicals.

Signs of the acquired form include vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and lack of appetite. The FDA investigated in 2008 and did not turn up any contaminant or a definitive cause for the illness. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.

Limit the amount of jerky treats, especially for young puppies. Watch for signs of illness noted above. Stop giving your dog the jerky treats if these signs are evident.  Take your dog to the vet for blood tests to check for kidney failure or increase in liver enzymes and get a urine test to determine if there is an increase in glucose levels.

According to Scott Weldy, a veterinarian from Lake Forest, there is no definitive proof that the chicken jerky can cause illness.  However he also says that he would not feed them to his dog.  It is best to err on the side of caution until more studies are done. Look for all natural products made in the USA. Treat your dog well!

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Event

An event in New York City that brings together celebrities, former dancers, and some of the most stunning grooming seen outside of Hollywood;  sounds like television show, Dancing with the Stars, has hit the east coast.  But what this buzz is all about is the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, live from Madison Square Garden,February 13th and 14th.  A once a year opportunity to take home a winning title brings out a fierce competition!

Bright Lights, Dog City: Westminster Dog Show is Here Again

By Jorge Bendersky

“In New York City this Valentine’s Day, glancing up you might spot the Empire State Building glowing purple and gold.  A homage to advancement of gay marriage rights? Lovely thought, but not even close.  Purple and gold are the Westminster Kennel Club’s signature colors and a sign that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has arrived.  This competition is an opportunity for the best breeders in the world to show off their breeding program, and compete for a title.  A dog boasting the heritage of a championship line or even having a celebrity owner, doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing because this show is reserved to dogs already holding American Championship titles, and competition is fierce.

A prancing poodle with perfect bracelets and a nice round pom might look more like something seen on Toddlers and Tiaras, but all that primping is about more than looks.  A pretty face but sub-par specimen of dog need not apply, because being picture perfect goes deeper than a nice coat and a hot trot. Grooming is, of course, a key element, but the right diet, physical fitness, training, and relationship with the handler are important factors when it comes time for a dog’s turn in the ring.  Who better to understand the pressure of being physically perfect than former dancers from the New York City Ballet, Heather Watts and Damien Woetzel? But understanding the pressure won’t necessarily help when their Golden Retrievers take their twirl in the ring, facing comparison to the standards of perfection for the breed.  Tutus aside, crowning a champion is serious business.

That serious business will get a little more interesting in its 136th year, as the WKC  is making sure the competition isn’t predictable by introducing six new competing breeds, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and show groups. From fluffy, like the Finnish Lapphund, a reindeer herding dog, or hairless, like the Xoloitzcuintli, the national breed of Mexico, this change shows dedication to preserving the purity of recognized breeds.

A champion dog’s show life might be short, whether sired by a Westminster winner, or with a celebrity sugar daddy, like Bill Cosby, and eventually, each dog will retire to the ease and simplicity of a pet dog’s life.  But while the lights are bright at Madison Square Garden on February 13th and 14th dog lovers everywhere have the opportunity to see what this sport’s favorite spectacle is really all about. ”

PS-On Friday, February 10th from 6-11 PM come and say hello to us at the Tails Untold Booth at the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show Friday Feb 10th – http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/

When NOT to crate train a puppy

Crate training has always been the preferred way to housebreak a puppy. Plus, they enjoy the den-like enclosure of a crate. A crate is a good housebreaking tool because it takes advantage of a dog’s natural reluctance to soil its sleeping place. It also helps prevent destructive behaviors and keeps the pup away from potentially dangerous household items.

However, puppies under 4 months of age have little bladder or sphincter control.  Very young puppies under 9 weeks should not be crated as they need to eliminate as much as 8-12 times per day. Puppies purchased in pet stores, who were kept solely in small cages when young (between 7-16 weeks of age), may be considerably harder to housebreak using a crate. This is due to having been forced to eliminate in their sleeping area during this formative stage of development.  This is the age at which most puppies are learning to eliminate outside their sleeping area.

So, what to do when your puppy is too young for crate training. The best method is to confine the puppy in a small to medium sized room space with a non-porous floor. Set up the crate on one end, with the door propped open and soft bedding inside, the food and water a few feet away, and some newspapers (approx. 2’x3′ to 3’x3′) using a 3-4 layer thickness several feet away. It is best to use  child gate versus a solid door to help your puppy feel less isolated. Take your puppy out frequently during the day to get him used to eliminating outdoors. Introduce the crate as confinement very carefully. As a rule of thumb, a puppy between 9 and 16 weeks should be crated from 30 minutes for the younger dog to 4 hours max.  Except for overnight, a puppy or dog should not be crated for more than 5 to 6 hours.

Enjoy your new puppy and  give  all the love you can.  It will be paid back to you in volumes!

fun pet quotes

Here are some quotes to lighten your day and give fun insights into your pets way of thinking:

  • Dogs come when they’re called, cats take a message and get back to you later-Mary Bly
  • One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you’re feeling blue is he doesn’t try to find out why-Anon
  • There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life; music and cats-Albert Schweitzer
  • Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people-W.C. Fields
  • a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself-Josh Billings
  • Women and catw will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea-Robert Heinlein
  • Everyone needs a dog to adore him, and a cat to bring him back to reality-Anon
  • A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere-Groucho Marx
  • If cats could talk, they wouldn’t-Nan Porter
  • Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow-Anon
  • Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job-Franklin P. Jones

what makes a show dog?

In choosing a dog for showing, it is important to know what the judges are looking for. These official standards for each breed include qualifications for structure, temperament and movement. The AKC’s book called “The Complete Dog Book” gives specifications for what is looked for with each breed.

Anyone can enter and show a dog. The main qualifications are that the dog be purebred and a breed recognized by the AKC. If you decide to purchase a dog for showing, be sure to purchase your dog from a reputable breeder; preferably one that has shown dogs before. Just being a puppy from 2 champion parents does not guarantee a show dog.

Some of the areas that judges look at are teeth, muscles. bones, and coat texture. A judge looks for general balance and gait, or how a dog moves. Attitude and posture are a good percentage of what a dog will be judged on. You would not see a show dog having its ears down and no expression. Your dog needs to have an “up and ready” attitude or willingness to perform. Just like its owner!

 

Pre-Westminster Fashion Show

Happy New Year all you Pet Lovers!

We all know about The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, but did you know about the Upcoming Pre-Westminster Fashion Show?  This will be Tails Untold ‘s first time participating as a Gold Paw Sponsor.  Come and visit us and see samples of our Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books!  It is going to be a paws-atively exciting event!  Some of the proceeds from the event will be going to The Animal Care and Control of NYC http://www.nycacc.org/. So get ready to PAW-TY.  This year’s theme is Venetian Masquerade.  For more information please visit http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/   We hope to see you there!  Your friends at Tails Untold.   www.tailsuntold.com

Baby it’s cold outside!

When the temperature dips below freezing, there are several important facts to consider with your dogs and cats.

An outdoor or stray cat might seek warmth under a car’s hood. It is best to bang on the hood or beep the horn before starting your car. Both cats and dogs who are allowed to roam may become disoriented in a snow storm or blizzard. It is best to keep them inside under these conditions.

Just as in summer weather, do not leave cats or dogs in the car when it is really cold outside. Cars will trap the cold air making for fatal conditions for your pet. Leave them home rather than parked in a car while you do your errands.

If you walk your dog in the snow or sleet, wipe off their feet, legs and stomach when you return. Salt on the sidewalks and roads can cut into their pads and cause bleeding. Also, if your dog is allowed to lick the salt, it can be very dangerous. We all know about dogs and cats and antifreeze. If you use antifreeze in your car, be sure to completely wipe up any spills. Additionally, it is best to use products containing propylene glycol versus ethylene glycol.

A puppy’s fur is not as thick as an adult dog’s fur. Also, their feet are not as calloused. Older dogs may also be less tolerant of the cold due to weakened immune systems and arthritis. Only take puppies and older dogs out to go to the bathroom in freezing weather.

Let your dog grow his winter coat. When grooming, just trim the hair. Do not shave close to the skin. If you have a short haired dog, it is a good idea to invest in a sweater.

When walking your dog, be sure to avoid large patches of ice. Dogs can break a leg or rip a tendon or ligament if they go sprawling. These types of injuries take a long time to heal. So avoid the ice!

Cats or dogs left outside for extended periods of time can get hypothermia. This is a condition where the body temperature dips below normal. Signs of hypothermia include shivering and lethargy. Consult your vet if you think your pet is suffering from hypothermia. Frostbite can also occur in your dogs or cats. Do not rub the frozen tissue because this can cause additional tissue damage. Seek help from your veterinarian.

When it is cold outside, baby, keep ’em inside!!

 

Fan Mail

Lily loved her book

"We love our Lily Book and Lily loves it too!" Joann
Joann ealier wrote: "I love your Tails Untold website! What a cute idea:) Definitely
want to have a book for my Lily made!I'm going through all her pics and
trying to pic my 10 favorites. "
"They LOVED the book! I showed it to at least 7 people .Best, Jenne."
“Hilary loves it….so much.  She is so happy.  We read it in the park and a friend from the building was walking his dog.  He read it and then I gave him your promo card and I just noticed that he has already liked your site on Facebook!  He got to it before me! “
“I love the book!  You did a wonderful job setting the pictures. I think my favorite is the one of slider in the crown. I will be sure to  show it around.”  Janine

OH YES!!! It turned out so good!! Thank you so much for your hard work!  Allison (Mother of Mars)

“Lily’s New York Adventure” truly captures a day in the life of Lily.  The book encompasses all that Lily is.  It provides information to its reader about what Lily likes to do.  It captures the cuteness of Lily through pictures and words.  I look forward to reading “Lily’s New York Adventure” to my Kindergarten class in the Fall! Thanks again for your hard work! The book is BEAUTIFUL!” Bryan :o)
“WE GOT THE BOOK!  It is so wonderful and such a good memory for us all to have.
Thank you so very much. “Best regards, Diane (her Rosie had passed on right before she received her book).
i received the books and absolutely LOVE them!  they are wonderful!  thank you so much!
happy holidays!” best, kelly  (Owen’s mom)
“I  received Emma’s adventure book, and it was everything I thought it would be. :-
“I  received the book!  It is fabulous!! Thanks for everything– Meg (  mother of Sebastian)

 

cats and shedding

In a perfect world, cats would not shed their fur and leave little furbunnies all over the house. The hairless cat such as the Sphinx does not have fur to shed. However, the great appeal of cats is that they are soft and furry. The Russian Blue and the Burmese cats shed a minimal amount. All black cats and the black tabby cat do not shed as much as other cats. If the furbunnies bother you, don’t get a white cat. My veterinarian friend says they shed a great deal more than other cats. White cats have dense undercoats which contribute to the excess shedding. The bottom line is, brush your cat every day, if he’ll let you. They are not fond of having someone else tend to their fur. I suggest you wear those heavy duty canvas gloves!