Grab your pliers and pipe cleaners... and hot-glue the animatronic tail to the 10 inch base.

Your frame needs to be solid / stiff, which may require doubling-up on pipe cleaners - two or three should be sufficient. 

Twist them together, staggering the overlap for maximum strength and rigidity. 

Start, by building a loose 'hoop' around the base.

Next, add a sturdy loop on both sides... this is where the hind legs meet the body. 

Slap some feet on, and begin adding sculpted horizontal, vertical, and cross-cross pipe cleaners - overlapping at least three or four times!

Continue, until your reach the base of the tail and neck.

Pretty is not the goal here... only strength and general shape!