Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thursday's Tale of the Tails






We are sure you can figure out which tail belongs to each of the pups, but bear with us as we share our tale of a tail.


Fluffy Phantom with a side shot of the Pest.



The Fan of Phantom




So full and fluffy - Phantom again.



The Siblings' Soft Side-by-Side Tails



Thunder Tail




More TD Tail



Puppy Ciara Tail



Princess One Year Old Ciara Tail



So what's the "point"? Well, here is Gypsy, our black lab cousin who belongs to the three bipeds we showed you last week.

Look at that "pointy" tail!




That tail is like an evil whip or switch. Gypsy has the most exuberant tail wag you can imagine. She is just the happiest of girls and gets so excited when she sees you that her whole back end wiggles back and forth and all around with great force. Sadly her enthusiasm is so huge that she manages to whack her poor tail against walls, doors, cabinets, tables, anything within reach. Several years ago she managed to crack the tip open, but with some gentle care it healed quite nicely.





Over the past several months, she has managed to turn her beautiful home into a horror house with blood sprayed from floor to ceiling, walls, furniture, clothes, carpeting - you name it and it got hit. Every time the family would return home, she would get so excited wagging her whip around and spraying blood everywhere. The harder one tried to catch her, the worse it would get. We will spare you those photos:)

You can see in the photo above how the tip had been shaved in an attempt to get it better again. Many visits to the vet and lots of tail wrapping and many efforts by her family to keep her calm have failed. A few weeks ago, the tail became infected; then she managed to chew at it so fiercely to get the wraps off that she bruised it very badly at the midway point.




Here she is with one of the twins and the fluffy stuffie from Santa. She is one very sweet pup.




And here she is today, a lab with a rottie tail. No one wanted to do it, but in the end, docking the tail was the only solution. Sorry for the poor quality photo, but it was taken with the Momster's phone camera.




Yes, the dreaded cone - for TWO weeks. Gypsy did very well with the surgery - she is almost 8 and has some heart issues, but she is doing well now that she is home. We tried to let her wear Phantom's soft collar, but the vet said her snooter was able to peek out too much, and they don't want her at her sutures. She has an extra long cone on now and she is really doing a number on the family's legs and helping out by scooping up all the snow outside. Please keep your paws crossed that she heals quickly. From what we hear, the tail is a very difficult area for healing. And some extra good thoughts for her Daddy who is just devastated that it had to come to this:(


Woos ~ the OP Pack and Gypsy

80 comments:

  1. At first I was giggling about Gypsy... that over-excited tail really made me smile big!! I've experienced some tail whips like that in my lifetime, and the fact that the more they tried to catch her, the worse it got... made me giggle because I can totally picture it.

    But then hearing about all the pain it brought, oh dear. I am so sorry she had to lose her tail, but yeah I can see how that would have been the only solution.

    I love it when the tails wag... it makes me happy to see how happy the dog is to see me too... no matter what length the tail is. Gypsy's tail is going to wag just as fiercely, but it won't hurt anybody or anything from now on!

    Keep us posted on her recovery...

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  2. My mom's furend has a 4 yr. old Lab and they had to have Jake's tail docked... fur the same reasons. If this makes you feel any better... Jake is not bothered one little bit. It was MUCH harder on his mom and dad.
    I hope Gypsy gets along OK. I have my paws crossed fur EVERYBUDDY involved and here are some healing Vibes.
    VIBES>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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  3. Gosh, that is sad. Her joy caused her so much trouble. Glad she is on the road to recovery.

    Wyatt and Stanzie

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  4. poor Gypsy, i hope her tail gets better really quick, i do love the photos of Phantoms lovely bushy tail, im sure you all have very waggy tails,

    Jenny :)

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  5. Oh, that's so sad! Gypsy looks like a lovemeister!! At least now she can wag as much as she wants without injury!

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  6. We will be praying for Gypsy to heal. She just looks so very sweet. At least when she wags her tail now, she can do no harm to it. What a situation to have to go through. She's a beauty. Our neighborhood dog next door, Blue, has a very long tail that seems to grow longer everyday. We are wondering about him. We send lots of good healing vibes to Gypsy and lots of prayers. Hugs to your beauties too. lots of love, Holly and mom

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  7. What a very sad tale and tail. Poor dog. Poor Dad.

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  8. Oh, Gypsy! I think your nubbin tail is just adorable! It's kinda like mine. My mom wishes that somebuddy hadn't cut off my tail but if they hadn't, I'd prolly be like you cuz I wag my nubbin so much and so hard. Now, don't you worry a bit. You're gonna get all healed up and you'll still be able to wag, wag, wag but without it getting all hurty.

    And you know, our good furend Boomer/Nubbin had the same thing happen to him. We think it gives him character!

    Wiggles & Wags,
    mayzie

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  9. Oh, I'm so sorry about her poor tail. I know that they tried absolutely everything. Things like that can consume you because it's your beloved pet, your home, etc. I know she's wild with the cone. I've suffered many bruises with those buggers BUT they are effective. Poor thing.

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  10. Hey, I thought of something! She still has the rest of her body to wag with. She was already a "full body" wagger to begin with. Plus, her little nubber will be wagging for all she's worth.

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  11. That would have been my solution as well since you can't have that blood all over the place, besides, it must have hurt the poor dog too...that's better...now she can wiggle her butt from side to side ;-)

    Some doggies just can't contain themselves from showing their excitement ;-)

    Have a good week and stay out of trouble ;-)

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  12. Poor Gypsy! At least she won't be banging her tail any longer.

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  13. Poor Gypsy....I hope all is okay now....

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  14. Poor Gypsy. We know about those Lab tails...our furrend Travis has one. Even Teka tried to stay away from that end of Travis!

    We hope Gypsy finds out how well the cone works as a food scoop!

    kisses
    gussie and teka

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  15. Oh poor Gypsy. Paws Up and Vibes on da way...Da brudder Max (DaOdderWeenie) is always banging his tail into things (low things) but it hasn't come to blood...Yet!

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  16. Oh poor Gypsy! We hope she gets better soon! We're glad she'll be able to be happy now without having to hurt her tail in the process.

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  17. Oh my goodness! We can't believe she had to have her tail docked. Riley's cousins are Boxers and they have docked tails (of course they've had them since they were puppies though) and they do the wiggle butt thing when they wag their tails. Poor Gypsy. We hope her Dad recovers soon from the shock of it all!

    Fun fact: Riley's biological Mom's name is Gypsy.

    Elyse and Riley

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  18. It's a sad tail... It's better though, less grief for everyone involved.

    Sam

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  19. I hope everything is OK. The fluffy tails take the cake!
    xxoo
    Deborah

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  20. We need that tail in the summer for a fan please
    Snuggles,
    Benny & Lily

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  21. Our tails are somewhere in between Phantom's and Thunder and Ciara's. But of course you know that!

    Poor Gypsy. The most important thing is that she has a great family. A family is better than a tail anyday!

    Steve

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  22. Gypsy 's tail looks like mine now! I will have to teach her to do da wiggle butt dance. :)

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. sorry... 'dat previous deleted comment was us's... (typo's)

    Awww~

    We send our loving thoughts and pawrayering for Gypsy~

    We are sorry her Daddy Man had to come home to find her like that~

    Healing hugs,
    IzZY, Josie, TriXie and Anakin Man

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  25. Riley's been on the Innova since May and didn't have any "poop issues" until the middle of October. I thought that coulda been the reason too but the timeframes don't add up. Thanks for trying to help solve the mystery though! I would sure rather it be a food problem than a medication problem. We'll see tomorrow.

    Elyse

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  26. My paws are crossed for Gypsy! I hope and pray she heals quickly.

    Thanks for your nice message today. I feel a little better today, but my mama is still being very careful about what she lets me eat. So far, just some white rice and chicken.

    Your pal, Pip

    P.S.: I don't even really have a tail!

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  27. Aww..I am very sorry that is had to come to that but it sounds like the proper decision was made. We get some Weims in our rescue with long tails and oh my those are like little whips. Wishing a speedy recovery.

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  28. Woof! Woof! Oh! Gypsy. Totally understand. Our friend's dog had some tail problems and yes it's tough. Sending Gypsy Lots of Golden Healing Thoughts. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  29. We have known a lot of Greyhounds who have suffered from Happy Tail. It can be a pretty bad problem. We are sorry poor Gypsy had to go through the surgery, but glad she's on the mend. She's just as cute as can be, in my opinion, with or without her tail. Who needs a tail with eyes like hers?

    Bunny

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  30. Aw poor Gypsy! It's a good thing labs do a full body waG. gypsy won't be needing that tail, really!

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  31. Oh poor Gypsy!! First time we've heard a story about a doggie that's too happy for her own good.. sorry her tail had to be docked, but I guess that's the best for her.

    Phantom's got such a full and floofy tail.. Thunder's tail is so 'neat' and pawfectly trimmed... and oh Miss Ciara, your puppy tail is oh-so-cute..

    Hugs to all..

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  32. My fluffy tail is wagging in support of all in need!!!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra and Khompany

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  33. Soft woofs of comfort to Gypsy and her family and strong howls of White Dog Army healing energy for a quick recovery. When you are THAT full of love and excitement it is important to be able to express yourself without getting hurt!

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  34. We send magic bubbles full of healing for Gypsy. She will feel so much better not hurting her tail. There are many nerve endings in the tail that can hurt very bad,, so now it will get better.
    Yes, she will wag her whole body and do a dance when she is happy, and of course you will see it in her eyes
    love
    tweedles

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  35. This is a story that plays havoc with your emotions. First you are delighted with this happy tail wagger, then you are worried about it healing, then you wonder whats next, then you pray for her success with the nubbin. Maybe we should knit an extension for Gypsy so Dad could feel better about things.

    Laughs, tears and cheers,
    Stella and Mom

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  36. We love Gyspy's new look! I have the longest stub of the three of us, and I can really wag! Mom and dad are very glad that I don't have a real tail. It could be dangerous. Paws crossed for a speedy recovery.

    -Gizmo

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  37. Everypup should have a tail like ours that flip up and over so they don't hit things. Poor Gypsy! I hope she heals fast! Better to be missing a tail than having continued problems!

    Holly

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  38. Oh no! We are so sorry. Aw. We are sending wishes for a fast and healthy recovery. Blessings.

    Sweet hugs,
    Sierra Rose

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  39. Poor sweet Gypsy! What an ordeal, both for her and her family.

    Tommy's tale is docked on the long side and I must say I am rather grateful that it is not any longer when I see him wagging it so fast and furiously!

    #1

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  40. That is very sad, but it doesn't sound like it will keep Gypsy down for long. Our Labs' tails are wild too... but they don't even approach the level of Gypsy's. I'm sure that no one wanted it to come to a tail docking but it sure sounds like the best solution in this situation. Paws are crossed for Gypsy.

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  41. Gypsy is cute, but who is that bee-yoo-tee-ful white fluffster in the third-from-last picture?
    *swoon*

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  42. Aw, poor girl, we will keep paws crossed she heals quickly with no complications. our mom's SIL had a bloodhound with that same problem - always whacking it open during his wild wagging.
    our RB Rosie sis was a rottie/aussie mix with just a nub of a tail - she would wag it so hard her whole backend swayed - Mom said it always made her smile to Rosie do her hula dance! (Hmm, I wonder if she was member of HULA?)

    jack & moo
    PS - we love all your Siberian fluffy tails!

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  43. awww, miss gypsy, we labradoggies are just happy go lucky tail waggers! i like to wag alot, too, but you are just the waggiest! i'm sorry that you kept hurtin' your tail so much, but hopefully now that you've got a nubbin, you won't get ouchies anymore! me and asa and mama are wishin' you a most super fast like recovery so you can get back to waggin' away like always. :)

    *woof*
    the booker man

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  44. Poor Gypsy! We just had another black Lab that did the same to his tail and due to a nasty gangrenous infection, the tip had to be amputated as well. He had quite an excitable tail also.
    No worries, though...he is doing well at home as I'm sure Gypsy will, too.
    The heart still laughs and wags, even when the tail is stumpy. Our own Rottie's little nubbin was always moving about - we nicknamed her Wigglebutt!

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  45. LOL - this Lab I mentioned in the above comment was at the clinic where I work. Not some random pup that had wandered into our lives. Sometimes I forget that everyone is not in my head (shudder to think)!

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  46. We so loved the tale of tails!!!!!!!!!!

    We are purraying for gorgeous Gypsy.

    Love to all of you.

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  47. Bambi is part lab part whippet...
    She too has had a happy tail, but thank God she didn't have to lose her tail. The combination has made a wonderful dog for 13 years!!
    Thanks for your visit and good wishes!!!
    xx, Bambi & Fern

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  48. In the picture it looks like she's still wagging her stump as fast as she can.

    Tails are tough to heal. Morgan had surgery on the middle of her tail to remove a lump. There's no extra skin on the tail, so they had to leave the incision open to heal. If she had bothered it, we would have had to dock her. This time fortunately, she left it alone and it healed well.

    Good luck to Gypsy and her loving family.

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  49. Oh poor sweet love how sore must that be. I can understand how upset her dad must be. You have got our love and purrs.. Hugs GJ and Carol xx

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  50. Aw I really hope she feels better soon!

    Emma does that too and she cracks her tail open now and again. When I first got her, the last two inches of her tail were dead and hairless. I thought I'd have to get it amputated too, but it miraculously healed. Now anytime she wags I have to move her around so she doesn't hit stuff. And oh MAN does it hurt when she gets you with it! The funniest part is that when she's near her own tail (like if she's curled up, or spinning in a circle) she closes her eyes so she doesn't hurt herself!!

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  51. Thats terrible that she had so much trouble with her tail. We have had tiny nubbin' tails since we were babies so now we have a new member of the tiny tails group!

    Heal quick pretty girl!


    Wags and Licks,
    Mollie Jo & Bobo

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  52. Poor Gypsy but if that is what it takes to make her all better it is the right thing to do.. Get well soon Gypsy...

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

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  53. A quickie: I've missed your blog so much, as soon as I started doing a couple of rounds regarding the Mango Minster, I just had to take a minute to stop by my beloveds' blog. M got bonus shot of one of the twins too and she's ecstatic.
    lots of wags and licks and toots too
    Judge Twink

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  54. So sorry about Gypsy's tail! I thought about docking Mabel's when I got her at four months and was advised against it. I can't imagine all Gypsy has been through with it!

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  55. Poor Gypsy :( I send my best purrs for her!

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  56. OMD!
    The sad story of the happy tail!
    I really hope Gypsy will be fully recovered soon doing the dance of happiness with all her body!
    Paws crossed for her!
    Take care
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  57. Oh, poor Gypsy. It doesn't pay to be too exuberant. Sam's tail is a weapon too so we understand about whacking everything. But fortunately his tail seems to be as hard as his head. We hope Gypsy's tail will heal completely without any problems.

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  58. Gypsy! We hope you feel better soon! Tails are funny things! Monty's tail looks a lot like Phantom's! It is floofy and it curls a lot!

    Mom is always stepping on the floofy part of Monty's tail when she is trying to step over him!

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  59. We hope Gypsy is recovering and leaving her tail alone. Her whip tail is also quite common in Great Danes. Mama has had two Danes, both many years ago at different times, who kept damaging their tails & getting them infected, just like Gypsy. Both ended up with a docked tail, too, although they didn't have to be cut quite so short. It depends on where they keep damaging the tail. Gypsy will be just fine once she heals. So tell her Dad to cheer up; she REALLY doesn't care. It sure doesn't imply a defect in the dog or the parenting. Sometimes it just happens, and compared to a lot of things that can go wrong, this is peanuts.

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  60. That is some tail you tell, Heck wagging a tail that much that it bleeds!!!poor thing. I have no wagg my tail is very curly like a pigs, Mom keeps grabing it to see if she can get my wag muscle to work :0
    See Yea George xxx

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  61. oh, poor girly. I has a tail like Phantom so I doesn't think that will ever happen to me, but I know another dog that broke their tail from wagging it, they had not had to have it docked yet. I really hope she gets better soon and doesn't have to wear the cone any more.
    ~lickies, Ludo

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  62. Beautiful Sibe tails! Isn't it funny just how different they can range?

    So sorry about Gypsy...but now she will be better and not hurt or in pain. And...she will wriggle that butt and body to show her happiness! When I was young and we lived in the country, we once had a very large, beautiful English Shepherd/Collie who always strolled out in the woods on our property where we went riding with the horses. One day he came back home all bloody. While in the woods, some trespasser had set a bear trap. Brandy's tail was caught in it (we did not know all this until afterward). He amazingly chewed his own tail off to come back home to us. He healed nicely and went on to be a very happy, healthy, tail-less dog! I don't know if that will make Hu-Dad feel better or not, but with or without a tail, Gypsy will be just fine and full of love!

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  63. Aww... poor Gypsy we hope her tail is soon mended. Wagging tails are brilliant but not when they hurt.

    Paws crossed for Gypsy.

    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  64. Aww, poor Gypsy! Shiver gets overly excited too but luckily his tail isn't that long so he hasn't ever cut it open from excessive wagging.

    I will definitely keep Gyspy in my prayers and hope for a swift recovery!

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  65. You all have such a silly tail :P
    Love those fluffy ones !!!
    We will hunt when we saw it real
    :-)
    Enjoy your sunday

    Hugs to all
    Kareltje =^.^= Betsie =@^.^@=

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  66. Tell me about it, i've been whipped breathless by one of her kind too....LOL!

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  67. Poor Gypsy! Oh my...that's awful...what she had to endure...but we are very glad to hear that she is on the mend!! We did enjoy seeing all of the other tail pics! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

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  68. What a very sad tale and tail. Poor Gypsy.

    Nice woooh
    Sally

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  69. Thank you for your kind words... and here's hoping Gypsy will recover soon.

    Licks, hero

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  70. I'm sure Rosie will recover. Labs are resilient doggies and they can wag without tails just fine. We will, of course, be holding good thoughts for her recovery, though.

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  71. Poor Gypsy! I am a very enthusiastic tail wagger too but I've not hurt myself doing it.

    I did once catch the Boy Of The House across the stomach with my tail when I was welcoming the family in.

    I hope Gypsy soon gets better and love to her human family who must have had a very difficult decision to make.

    Love and licks Winnie

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  72. Oh, we're so sorry to hear that Gypsy's wagger is gone BUT we hope it will be much better for her now. PeeS - we loved seeing your plumes!

    The Road Dogs

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  73. Wow. I've heard that love hurts but that just takes the cake! poor gypsy! poor gypsy parents! so sorry... paws and fingers crossed here in CH...

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  74. Baily has also turned our house into the same house of horrors before due to her happy whip tail wagging. Luckily we have not had to amputate at this point

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

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  75. Oh Dear!!! We have a case of "happy tail" right now. Daisys tail has been bandaged off and on since christmas. Right now we are woking with the vet and changing the bandages every 3 days. We hope it doesn't get to this :( But totally understand.

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  76. Oh Dear!!! We have a case of "happy tail" right now. Daisys tail has been bandaged off and on since christmas. Right now we are woking with the vet and changing the bandages every 3 days. We hope it doesn't get to this :( But totally understand.

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Thanks for wooing at us. We love your comments!