PET PALS PAWPRINTS July NEWSLETTER
I am Adriana from PET PALS.
In June we went on holidays to tropical Far North Queensland - Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.
I had been to Cairns and to the Barrier Reef islands long time ago but I have never been further north than that.
It was warm, exotic and sensacional. Beyond my expectations...
So I have few close encounters with animals and photos to share with you in this newsletter.
RSPCA PENINSULA MILLION PAWS WALK - 16th MAY
It's held every year and it's the biggest fundraiser day for the RSPCA's animal projects.
Adriana represented all the local APDT members at the Million Paws Walk held at Hastings.
I organised the marquee and it was a very busy day. I answered lots of enquires about positive reinforcement training and promoted the organisation. There were around 5,000 people at the event.
We had a raffle and the first prize winner was a very clever Border Collie. He and his owner won a dog training course from: Erin says: 'Sit Happens' and he was so excited...
ISA TURNED 70TH in May!
Isa Maria - my mother and Pet Pals office staff turned 70 yo at the end of May. So I surprised her with a special lunch at the Tramcar Restaurant. The very entertaining waiter dedicated the Brazilian song: 'The Girl from Ipanema' specially to her and he sang 1 of her favourite songs: 'Volare'.
Congratulations Isa !
Pet Pals is celebrating its 9th year anniversary in July!
So much has happened since 2001 and we'll talk about some important topics in the June/ July interview.
TROPICAL NTH QUEENSLAND - June 010
Snorkelling in the Barrier Reef was a big highlight. To swim around schools of tropical fish, turtles and to see reef sharks at close range is very exciting. The tour I did left Port Douglas and went to 3 different reefs. It took 1 1/2 hrs to get to the first one. The mynk whales were around but I didn't see them on that particular day as it was the start of their migration season.
Kuranda
The Skyrail that leaves from Cairns to Kuranda is a great trip. It goes through the top of the rainforest. We came back by train - the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Train passes close to huge waterfalls. Very popular street markets at Kuranda and a chance to see few local aborigenes and the Flying Fox Rescue place- very smelly place but interesting. Rescue worker rehabilitates them after they got attacked by dogs or foxes and releases them back in the forest. They eat the local tropical fruit and are a very common sight at dusk.
Flying foxes
Kuranda railway
Cancer research in Dogs and Cats using tropical plants
Research is been done using tropical plants from local rainforest to treat cancer in dogs and cats at the moment with very good success rate. The trials will still continue to be monitored in the animals for longer with intention to try to treat this disease in humans as well.
CROCODILE TOURS & DAINTREE FOREST
We went on 3 tours by boat along the Daintree River. We got reasonably close to some big ones of around 4 metres length. I was surprised with the high level or expertise of local guides. Few had Degrees in Biology. Very informative. From the moment you cross the Daintree River it'a a jungle out there ...very remote...but I loved it.
Cooktown has 60% of its population aborigines and Torres Strait islanders. And from Cape Tripulation above you had to use 4 wheel drives to go through tracks as you have to cross rivers and creeks. That way all beaches have: ' Beware of crocodiles signs'. Stingers season had just finished. Plants very lush and exotic. Tropical fruits and I tried some I haven't tried since Brazil.
Crocodile tour
Fan Palms @ Daintree forest
DOGGIE SOCIAL
'Siesta' time at the local pub 
Meet and greet @ Palm Cove
Playing at Port Douglas beach...
We enjoy seeing your pets out and about having fun...
HAPPY WOOFS FOR YOU !
If you have any suggestions on subjects you would like me to cover in the Newsletter or on section 'News and Articles' please just send me an email to: petpals@iprimus.com.au
