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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Pythons are generally arboreal, that is, they occupy trees and broadly considered to be a longer lived snake and the ball python is no exception. They are the world’s largest snakes. Pythons are exothermic or cold blooded and can reach a length of 25 feet. Pythons are vertebrates. All pythons are members of the family Boidae. Unlike boas, pythons are egg layers.

Burmese Pythons are typically 18″ to 24″ long at birth. Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world, able to exceed 20 feet in length. These pythons are jockeying with the native alligators for the top spot in the in the Florida Everglades food chain.

African Rock Pythons are tan with brown spots that have black outlines.

Adult Ball Pythons are usually a little over one meter long, that’s 36 – 48 inches in American measurement. Ball pythons are popular due to their small size and docile temperament. They can also be anyone’s favorite snake to keep and breed. Ball Pythons are native to Central and Western Africa and are ‘crepuscular’ being most active at dusk and dawn. Ball pythons are one of the longest-lived snakes.

Reticulated Pythons are meeting extinction within the subsequent fifty years.

Pythons are also one of the few snakes that exhibit parental behavior. Most pythons are rather ill-tempered, contrary to the boas. Most pythons are terrestrial to semi-arboreal, and a few, such as the green tree python (Morelia viridis) of Australia and New Guinea, are strongly arboreal. The pythons are possibly the only species aside from humans that can take on alligators. Royal pythons are most operational at night, when they hunt for their food. Contrary to what one might think, pythons are gentler and easier to maintain than rats.

BOAS

Boas are a type of snake that is members of the Boidae family. These boas are very secretive and mostly nocturnal or crepuscular. Calabar Boas are a burrowing species, and rarely come above ground during daylight hours. Nearly all Halmahera Island Boas are wild caught; this species is hard to breed and even harder to rear. Boas are very strong, and can easily topple such a structure when moving about.

Pythons and Boas are both of the Family Boidae. Boas are known for their placid temperament, which make them ideal as pets. Boas are live bearers; a small litter of babies is born 6 to 8 months after mating. Red tail boas are a very tame and docile snake.

Boas are also non-poisonous snakes that usually reside in Central and South America and are from the same family as the python and anaconda. Emerald green tree boas are solitary. Generally Boas are much nicer in temperament. Boas are ambush predators and rely on this camouflage to capture their prey.

By: Arjun Mukherjee

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The Australian Silky Terrier is thought to have been bred from crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with the Australian Terrier. This mix of the two breeds was meant to produce a toy dog with the gentle qualities of a small house pet and the inquisitive character and hunting skill of a terrier. Families who have Silkies will attest to the effectiveness of the cross.

It is obvious from the coloring of the Australian Silky that a Yorkshire Terrier had a part in its development, for it carries the gun metal blue coloring with rich tan points and silvery blue topknot quite similar to the Yorky. When the dog is born he is much darker and as he grows the tan markings fade to a lighter fawn shade and the gun metal blue becomes quite silvery. The ” Silky Terrier” is called the Australian Silky Terrier in Great Britain and in Australia, but is called the “Silky Terrier” elsewhere. In any case, the dog is definitely a terrier and meant to have the attributes of a terrier as far as its ratting and rodent killing abilities and in the case of the country of Australia, the little terrier is adept at killing snakes. The Silky is smaller than an Australian Terrier but larger than a Yorkie and the skull and muzzle are not as broad nor heavy as the Australian Terriers’, nor as long as the Yorky. In short this little dog has an almost equal mix of the qualities of the two breeds.

The coat care is simple enough, he requires a daily brushing and an occasional bath. Of course as always nails should be trimmed on a regular basis. The ears are erect and need only an occasional cleaning as they are not prone to ear infections. The hair on the face presents a bearded look and there is always more care on this type of muzzle as far as keeping the whiskers free of bits of food. Trimming can be done if necessary but his coat is easy to comb since it is exactly what it is called : “silky” and there is no undercoat. It lies flat to the body and does not tangle in the manner of a double coat.

The little dog is highly intelligent and is definitely a one family dog. It is wary of strangers and makes a good watch dog. When properly introduced it will accept strangers into the household but still will not be overly friendly. He is a very clean house pet and will get along with other animals in the household if he is raised with them. Of course the terrier temperament will come out if he is confronted and he can certainly do a good job of defending himself when necessary. Obedience competitors have found that the Silky is competitive in the Obedience ring and he is a favorite in the Conformation ring in most of the European countries, more so than in the United States.

By: Michael Russell

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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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