I have been reading about him and keeping up with his progress and story. Adorable. The tail has no bone structure and is just flesh and hair. They thought it might be a reabsorbed twin but the vets that have examined him and x-rayed and scanned him say no it's not. It can't wag since he has no bones in it. It's just there. They will eventually adopt him out but it will be a while they said.

He looks sweet, loveable and adoptable. I would have the growth removed though.

I'd adopt him in a heart beat. I'd have the extra tail removed.

I read that the puppy will only go to someone who won't remove the tail. They don't want unnecessary surgeries done on the puppy since there is no medical need.

Cute pup!

Well that is just silly. First of all,how are they gonna enforce that? When he's adopted out, are they going to check every so often to make sure the growth is still there? And second, the growth could probably be removed at the same time that the pup is getting neutered and already under anesthesia. (Spaying/neutering a dog is technically medically unnecessary as well, but I bet they insist on that) If it grows with the dog I imagine it will get annoying for the little guy.

One reason I prefer not to deal with rescues and such. They make it so difficult to adopt. I would have the growth removed.

I hope he and his companion both find a great home soon,maybe together. Wouldn't that be great?!??!

I saw this on the news recently. That tail creeps me out. Anyone else?

I saw the story on the news. The vet and assistant insisted on calling it a tail, which it is not. It's an abnormal growth that could swiftly become problematic as the pup matures. It would be easy to damage in rough play, either by another animal or all by himself.

I would fully expect that a growth like this may be rejected by the body, cut off from blood (thus oxygen), and become a real medical problem.

Better it be removed when the pup is young, than later. The vet assistant is presenting herself as ridiculous, an impediment to the best healthcare of a precious animal. This puppy does not have a cute little tail growing on its face. If it were emerging from the flank or leg or jowl, it wouldn't be so cute; removal would be encouraged rather than prevented.

It should be removed, just as any abnormal growth that our dogs would have should be removed. That is ridiculous to say that it shouldn't be removed! Like Amy said, they should just do it when he's having his neuter surgery!

I agree - it could be removed when he's getting neutered... it looks like it could impair his vision at some point if it keeps growing with him.

That's a stupid requirement for adoption.

However if it if left there, it would certainly make chasing his own tail much easier. :-)

Poor little guy and yes the growth on his face should be removed. I hope someone adopts him and does just that as later on it might cause problems

Edited to say that even if it doesn't ever cause a problem, it's just ridiculous to leave it.