My tail is fairy stiff with only the foam inside.
Just fill the tail up with enough furniture foam so it stays in shape while still remaining bendable. Metal wire makes it so stiff that the tail won't move naturally.
As for the fur. Couldn't you just use white and brown fur separately? Sew them together, then make ears and a tail out of it.
Or use brown fur for one ear and white for the other, white for the base of the tail and brown for the tip. Just an idea but it might work for you.