Reptile Salvation

Many people assume that just because a dog toy was purchased from a pet store, it is automatically safe for their dog. But this is not the case, as several toys are made for dogs of certain sizes and with certain play/chewing styles, and some toys can be dangerous for dogs if they are not properly supervised.

Large dogs or dogs that chew aggressively both have very specific needs when it comes to dog toys. Large dogs should always be given toys that are made for large dogs, because the smaller toys could become choking hazards.

Similarly, aggressive chewers (especially large aggressive chewers) can suffer from a whole host of issues with improperly selected toys. Any plastic, hollow squeaker toy is automatically out without proper supervision, because these toys can cause choking and vomiting if swallowed, and aggressive chewers tend to easily rip pieces of plastic from these toys apart. Also, furry toys, like stuffed animals, are also at risk of being ripped and eaten, and so should be purchased with extreme caution.

Still, for these two types of dogs, there are still several toy options. First, all of these toys are still made for dogs, and so if you do have time to properly supervise your dog, each is a nice gift. But for those that like to leave toys with their dogs, large ropes make great chew toys. They also clean teeth, and are less likely to be ripped apart, making them ideal for the aggressive chewing dogs.

Large dogs can still enjoy most any toy, as most dog toy makers do have “large breed” versions of all of their toys, you simply have to find them.

Also, brands like Kong use thick rubber which is more durable than traditional thin plastic dog toys, so these toys can stand up to even the roughest chewers. Hard rubber toys are ideal for any dog that seems to be destroying its toys faster than you can purchase them.

Finally, any toy that a dog needs to “solve” – for example, a large plastic dome with treats inside that a dog needs to paw around with in order to receive the treats – is a great toy for active dogs (but not for dogs that are easily frustrated). Any large plastic dome toy should still be watched at first, however, because dogs that like to “kill” their toys (shake their toys violently back and forth) may try to do so with their heavy plastic toy, causing untold amount of damage.

Dog toy manufacturers have done a much better job of creating toys for larger dogs and aggressive chewers. Still, it is a good idea to consider each toy carefully before handing it over to your dog, and supervising your dog for a while to ensure it is using the toy correctly.

By: Eric Gehler

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Deep down, we’re all looking for that “authentic” travel experience. We don’t want The Hilton Australia. No, we want to stay with an Australian aboriginal family in the bush. We don’t want to eat at McDonalds Australia; we want to eat a vegemite sandwich or an emu burger.

We don’t want to visit the Queensland Australia zoo; we want to take a 4-wheel-drive vehicle right out into the Australian outback where we can catch a glimpse of wild dingoes and red kangaroos in their natural habitat. To visit Australia is to peer into a rich cultural heritage and experience a more laid-back beach lifestyle, if only for a week or two.

Australia has wildlife! It is one of twelve “megadiverse” countries that accounts for 75% of the world’s biodiversity, says the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The existence of Australian animals on the island fascinates biologists, who attribute the tremendous biodiversity to being allowed to proliferate without human interference for so many years. Remember, Australia wasn’t even officially declared a country until 1901.

It’s not every day that you can see 45 species of kangaroo hopping through the brush, an enormous emu running with its gangly ostrich-like legs, or hear a laughing kookaburra in the tree. Some animals can only be found down under. The Tasmanian devil, for instance, is only found in Australia.

To Australian guides, it may be nothing to see a playful platypus, 100 varieties of poisonous snakes, 56 species of parrots, a koala or a wild dingo, but travelers are always somewhat bewildered by the sudden emergence of animals they had only previously seen on TV or at the zoo. The bush and the Australian outback are unique experiences, so try to arrange a four-wheel-drive tour to catch the wildlife in their natural habitats!

Visit Australia to see natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef next to the party town of Carins is the best place to dive in the world. Backpackers can take an “introductory dive” with a tour company for $75 AUD per trip. For a more in-depth view that’s off-the-beaten-path, you’ll need your scuba license or a fair amount of cash to get on a private boat.

Another amazing natural wonder is Uluru, which is also called “Ayers Rock.” The Anangu Australian aboriginal people believe this 348-meter, color-changing rock holds sacred power and it is situated right in Kata Tjuta National Park, where you can traverse many different hiking trails. Thirdly, at Monkey Mia you’ll have the chance to feed wild dolphins in Shark Bay, a protected World Heritage area.

Also, Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest (the oldest in the world) is home to 30% of the nation’s frog, marsupial and reptile species, 65% of the bat and butterfly species, and 20% of the country’s birds. These are just a few of the natural wonders you will be privy to on an Australian vacation. Australia also boasts some of the best hiking, road trips and a “Little Sahara” desert region.

Visit Australia to experience music. In addition to having thriving jazz and country scenes, Australians love a whole host of rock, but offer up certain distinctive styles. For instance, The Atlantics played surf-oriented rockabilly, much like what was happening in California during the 1950s – 1980s too. The Bee Gees, The Loved Ones, Olivia Newton-John showcased some of the diversity found down under.

Australia is also home to many “pub rock” bands like: Mental As Anything, Midnight Oil, The Angels, Cold Chisel, Icehouse, INXS and Men at Work. In the 90s, AC/DC, Savage Garden, The Living End and Silverchair brought notoriety to sleepy beach towns of Australia.

Today, “pub rock” still thrives as the traditional Aussie sound, with bands like The Vines, Jet, Airbourne and Wolfmother. Australian music is a great reason for any young artist type to embark on an Australian adventure.

By: MIKE SELVON

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You can find all sorts of beauties and great things in Australia. Certainly, the island continent is a unique land of natural wonders, wide open spaces, deserts, woodlands, grasslands, mountains, beaches, and oceans. It is the marvelous country of numerous action packed wonderful outdoors sites, and fantastic cities, such as cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra.

Australia is a vast country comprised of the continental mainland and the major island of Tasmania and a number of other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the southern hemisphere. Surely, you can find a one C of things to see & do in Australia, but here are top 10 things that that you just can’t ignore.

Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. Located on the south-east coast of Australia, the Harbor City certainly is globally influential in the fields of culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design. The city is home to the Australia’s two most iconic structures Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You can enjoy the vibrant life of the dynamic city.

Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon, a Danish architect, is one of the wonders of the modern world. Situated on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, the opera house is the most iconic building of Australia. It is the most famous performing arts venues in the world. You can enjoy the world famous theatrical, musical, and dance performances at this World Heritage Site.

Australian Museum, originally known as the Colonial Museum or Sydney Museum, is located in College Street, Sydney. Famous in the fields of natural history and anthropology, it is one of the oldest museums in Australia. You can enjoy witnessing wondrous collections of vertebrate & invertebrate zoology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and anthropology, and exhibitions at the museum.

Melbourne is undoubtedly the culinary, sporting and cultural capital of Australia. Often dubbed as one of the most cultured cities of Australia, Melbourne is widely known for its Victorian-era architecture, many cultural institutions such as museums, galleries and theaters, and large parks and gardens. You can enjoy every bit of Melbourne.

Royal Botanic Gardens, located near the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, are the finest in Australia and the best in the world. On the south bank of the Yarra River, the Royal Botanic Gardens are 354,000 square metres (35 hectares or 87 acres) of beautifully landscaped gardens. You can see a wide range of flora and enjoy the refreshing scenic beauty of the gardens.

Great Barrier Reef, located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia, is a “must visit” site in Australia. It is often dubbed as one of natural wonders of the world. It was declared as a World Heritage Site in 1981. It is very popular tourist destination. You can enjoy scuba diving and boating in the warm clear waters of the reef.

Gold Coast is a wonderful coastal city in the southeast corner of the state of Queensland. It is often dubbed as Surfers Paradise. The city is famous for its sunny subtropical climate, popular surfing beaches, grand waterway & canal systems, beautiful skyline & skyscrapers, active nightlife, and countless tourist attractions. You can enjoy the beaches, lovely airs, and vibrant nightlife of the city.

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a very popular destination. You can enjoy shopping at Queen Street Mall in central business district (CBD); enjoy eating & walking at restaurants, cafes, & boardwalks in South Bank; enjoy vibrant nightlife in Fortitude Valley; enjoy shopping & eating at artsy shops and cafes in West End; enjoy dinning at trendy dining places in New Farm; and cruising on the Brisbane River at Brett’s Wharf.

Belair National Park is located 13 km south of Adelaide in South Australia. The park is known for many of its areas of interest, which include Old Government House, the park Nursery, Playford Lake, and the Adventure Playground. You can enjoy playing tennis, walking, biking, or horse riding at numerous tennis courts, ovals, and walking, bike and horse-riding trails in the park.

Daintree National Park, in Far North Queensland, is a popular tourist destination. Founded in 1988, the park consists of two sections, with a settled agricultural area that includes the towns of Daintree Village and Mossman. Home to numerous with tropical birds, butterflies, reptiles and countless species of wildlife, Daintree Village is a nature-lover’s paradise.

By: James Burrows

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