(😊🐀+) Collie Tail Poll

Swapped the tail & eye color poll bc I found that I wanted this one & the Cameraman tail poll to go on at the same time :) Here's tail lore for each type, feel free to read them to get the social implications of these choices!

STANDARD

A standard tail implies either great care as a child, taken either by the parent or the child, and/or lack of physical labor for work as an adult. It can also be a sign of good luck, and is seen as most professional by places of work. Standard tails can be adorned most easily, and fit with every outfit; it is most unlikely to clash with what you wear or detract from other traits you may have to offer.

SINGLE NICK

Very versatile option, it can say a lot to have a singular nick in your tail, and is common for others to ask about. It might say something about your childhood, such as a playground accident, an accident with scissors, or sometimes best friends or lovers nick their tails at the same time as a form of bonding. There are tons of possibilities. It can also be evidence of a less cushy work environment, more of a desk job or seated/stationary indoors work.

THICK CUFF

This would mean Collie would nearly always be seen wearing a thick cuff, but would otherwise have an unscathed/unaltered tail. A thick cuff can be just decorative, but it also can double as a tail weight. This can help rats who have trouble controlling where their tail goes to keep it closer to their body, as well as help them be more aware of where their tail is spatially to help avoid bumps and scrapes. Collie canonically does not have the best awareness of their tail and has some sensory issues, so this along with the next two options would help them with that.

THIN CUFFS

This would mean Collie would nearly always be seen wearing thin cuffs, but would otherwise have an unscathed/unaltered tail. Thin cuffs are decorative, and typically a slightly stretchy material. They can double as a hairtie if needed, and can have further jewelry hung from them, such as little bells, rocks, gems, or other trinkets. These help in a smaller way than the the thick cuff, with awareness of the tail due to the knowledge you have decorated it. In addition, one cuff can be placed near the start of the tail and one near the end, and them looped together to intentionally keep the tail super close to itself.

NUB/CROPPED

A completely cropped tail, down almost to the base, could be for several reasons. One could be for work, if the rat's job is one where a long tail would increase risk of injury. One could be because the parents decided to crop their tail at a young age, which used to be legal and is now illegal. Another could be to avoid future sensory issues, as going in and getting your tail cropped damages the nerves & makes it less sensitive. Tails get bumped and scraped often, and some may opt for avoiding that life-long hassle entirely.