My humans have started doing their Work thing now but a few weeks ago – in between all the unpacking and Settling-In stuff - they went one day to a really cool place called the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is the home of lots of Australian animals but especially, one very special animal called the koala.
Koalas look a lot like cuddly teddy bears although they are not bears at all – they are marsupials, which means that they carry their babies in a special pocket, until the babies are grown up and can look after themselves. A lot of animals in Australia are marsupials – the most famous one is the kangaroo, of course! 
Koalas are very special for lots of reasons – for example, they only eat the leaves of the eucalyptus tree which are very poisonous but their stomachs can cope. The leaves are 50% water and so koalas hardly ever drink water (their name comes from the Aboriginal word for “no drink”).
Some people think that koalas get “drunk” from eating the leaves – this is not true but the leaves have very little nutrition (5% sugar only) and so don’t give much energy – which is why koalas act so lazy and sleepy, and sleep for about 19hrs a day!
Hsin-Yi thought the koalas looked like funny, little old men – and boy, did they scratch all the time! But one of the koala keepers explained that it was not because they were itchy but rather it was a kind of grooming for their soft, spongy fur which would otherwise get horrible knots and tangles.
Although koalas look very cute and cuddly, they actually have very sharp teeth and claws and can be quite grumpy! 
(Hsin-Yi says: Actually, we were surprised to see a lot of koalas being carried around and cuddled by the keepers in the sanctuary and you could even get your photo taken cuddling a koala if you wanted to (for a big fee!). Apparently, ‘koala cuddling’ has been banned in NSW but is still allowed in Queensland. However, they can only be cuddled for 30mins per day max and they must get every 4th day off! 
The cuddling-ban in NSW is quite controversial as they have found that a koala’s temperament is determined by how they are raised – so those raised in captivity often seem to expect a cuddle!)
My humans were really lucky because they arrived just at the koalas’ feeding time and so the koalas were quite awake and lively!
Here is a sign showing what koalas do with their day…I have to say, it looks quite a lot like mine!
The koalas were also very calm and placid like me – they just sat on their branches and watched all the humans passing by…
The only time they got excited was when the keepers brought out their food…and then there was a traffic jam on the branches!
My humans also saw lots of other interesting Australian animals at the sanctuary…
There was even a park area where there were lots of friendly kangaroos and emus – and humans could walk around and feed them and stroke them.
My humans loved it because they had never been this close to a kangaroo before!
In fact, they got this picture especially for my blog friends, Max & JD the Schnauzer Brothers - as a “Mirror Image Monday” entry!
Here is a little video of my human’s visit to the sanctuary, where you can see all these weird and wonderful creatures in action 
Hsin-Yi’s favourites are the fighting ‘dragons’ who fell into the water – and the very chatty cockatoo! Paul’s favourite is the koalas, especially when there was a ‘traffic jam’ on the branches and one of them hopped right over the other!
Now, you might be wondering what I was doing while my humans were running around with all these strange Aussie beasts?
This:
.
Oh, but I’ve been keeping busy too. For example, here is a picture of me working hard at my entry for Biggie’s Dog Pile competition…what do you think?
I’m also working on my entries for Niamh’s Train Your Dog Photo competition and of course, Mango Minster…have you entered these great competitions yet?
Hiya Honey! I can’t believe all those toys on you! You have a lot of “real estate” to be able to fit so many.
Hey, maybe you are actually part Koala Bear?!?! You better go to the V-E-T and see if you have a pouch somewhere.
Yer pals,
Sketcher and Angel
Wowsa Honey that is a lot of toys on you, you are going to win! What strange animals by where you live. Those koala bears sure have pointy claws. Are you sure they aren’t related to my evil kitty brothers, I can see a resemblence.
woof- Tucker
That is an impressive pile Honey!
Mom says that she got to go to Lone Pine when she was studying abroad in Queensland and she really enjoyed it! She has pictures with the Koalas, kangaroos and other animals she got to see up close! She really misses Australia and really wants to go back some day.
Hugs and Tails Wags,
Dixie
What a SUPER fun place to visit! Those koalas are very neat Honey. I love the mirror image picture…super sweet! As for your entry into the dog pile contest (or whatever it’s called
I think you did fabulously! Did you even know those things were on you??
One more thing, just wanted to let ya know that my blog address changed a bit…you can now find me at http://www.nwridgeback.blogspot.com
Kisses,
Nala
I am training hard too, but goodness there are some talented doggies out there.
What strange beasties live in Australia. It was fun to see them. That bird has an Australian accent!
Slobbers,
Mango
What a great post!
So furry infurmative!
The Mirror Image pikh was pawesome!
Tank woo fur sharing all of it!
Great job on your piling on entry!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: I have a link relating -- in a sense -- to woo on my Tuesday post!
hello big honey dog its dennis the vizsla dog hay hmmm i am kyoorius how if the yookaliptus leef is haff water the yookaliptus tree burns like a jigantik tortch wen it ketches fire this is verry strayndj!!! ok bye
Hahaha Honey, I totally love the brushes that are placed on your legs, very creative, you’re so good to stay so still!
Those koalas look like they have a pretty good life at that sanctury, its always nice to see such different animals
Licklick
Pepper
Koalas have the right life attitude, for sure! Humans could learn from them!
hi honey en humans
whaaw what a koala does in a day it’s the same as me (el’bow)
cooool
today Sanne gonna take a photo to of the dogpile
its gonna be asome
kissslobbers
El’bow & Hauwii
PeeeeS: about tha dance, Sanne is going to teache El’bow more trick for that routine, She discover dance talent in El’bow
What a wonderful outing your humans had! Koalas & kangaroos! How fun!
Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos! I’d love to go to the koala sanctuary.
LOL -- the mirror image photo is so funny!!!! And your big pile photo is perfect!
The koala sanctuary is very cool -- wish I could go there and see all of those exotic animals.
I’m very jealous of your beautiful summer weather!
haha! funny ‘traffic jam’ picture
Hey there Honey
thanks for a super, informative blog post. I loved learning more about the Koalas.
We haven’t had a chance yet to wish you well in your new country and new surroundings. You certainly look happy and settled in the photos.
Take care and lotsalicks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
Hi Honey, Hsin-Yi and Paul!
Sorry we haven’t dropped by in quite a while -- problems with our internet server. Grrrrrr. Cable man couldn’t fix it even after an hour and a half of tinkering and rebooting.
Love the Koala park and especially the photo of Hsin-Yi and the roo in the same pose. I think you’ve got the roo legs and the Koala’s sleeping patterns down pat. Looks like you’re already an official Aussie Doggie!
Your pal,
Petey
Hi Honey! My assistant has been furry rude lately about visiting -- more like bizzy, but since I can’t type, I have to wait til she can! so sorry! What a wonderful post about so much! LOVE those koala bears and all the other wonderful Aussie animals! Great photos and great pix and info -- you really captured some super action photos -- loved watching in wonder! Your Biggie picture is pawsome -- we were going to try for this until we saw all the stuff you could pile on HOney heheh! We will still try for it! I have some good pix for the training contest, but they aren’t taken this month -- arggghhhh! But will try to get a good one! Love you sleeping Honey -- is the AC working??? Is it still incredibly hot, dear one??? Hope the move and settling in is going smoothly by now.
Big Hugs and Love xo
Sammie
What a fun place to visit -- too bad you couldn’t go too, Honey. That video was so much fun to watch, we loved seeing the koalas climb all over each other getting up and down the tree. Our favorite photos were the Mirror Image and the traffic jam on the branch. Thanks for sharing that wonderful visit.
Woos, the OP Pack
just terrific! we would love to cuddle those koalas!!! Australia looks like a blast! Honey, our mom is jealous of how tiny your human is! sometimes life is not fair--bol
wow! neat post. i especially like the feeding of the ‘roo’s! cool.
wags-n-wiggles,
wild dingo
(hey Australia is my late Maggie’s ancestorial home!)
That is soooo cool! What did the kangaroo feel like? Are they soft? That’s so great that your humans got to go in and pet and feed them. I also really like the mirror image picture.
Honey, you are so great at conserving your energy while working so hard for your contest entry. Good luck! We entered Mango Minster and might enter the trick contest if Mom stops being lazy. I don’t think I’ll try the pile contest. I’m on the small side.
I would love to visit that sanctuary someday! I love things like that. It’s so cool how close your humans got to get to the animals. It’s too bad you missed out going along but it was nice of your humans to share their experiences with us.
I can’t believe you didn’t wake up when your humans were stockpiling all that stuff on you. You silly girl!
Honey
Brillant post -- the NSLM in particular really enjoyed it! So many great photos -- he loved that you could get up so close to the kangaroos.
take care
Clive
Our mom is TOTALLY jealous that your bipeds got to see all those cool animals!!! (Except for the snake.) Great pix! The BEST ones are the ones of you, naturally. We’d rather meet you than any koalas or kangaroos. You’re way cooler!
Play bows,
Zim
Awwww… those koalas are so cute!
We really love the pic where the koalas are like queuing in a row.
Hi Honey,
You have such wonderful adventured Honey! My mom would love to go to that Koala park…she just love animals!
You should win that Mirror Image Monday contest…your photo was spot on!! Perfect! It’s funny that that Roo just decided to lay down by you that way.
Again mom is so jealous of your beautiful weather…here I am in my snow boots and your mom is wearing flip flops…it’s just not right…Ha Roo!!
AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane
What a nice walk your humans had! The koala sanctuary looks so cool! Lots of strange animals! That mirror image monday is fantastic! You did great with the dog pile picture! All those things on you!
love
Thor
I have never seen any of those animals! Mum says she visited the sanctuary more than twenty years ago and still remembers what a Koala felt like in her arms. But, she didn’t know that it was in Brisbane as she had been taken there in a tour bus and hadn’t had to worry about how to get there.
Wow, I am so impressed by your Dog Pile photo!
Love,
Cinnamon
Thanks Honey for visiting my blog.
)
But that’s what pups do, right?
What an amazing walk your humans had, and what fun!
Koalas are such adorable little creatures
And what a lucky doggy you are for having soo many toys xD
I wish I had that many too … but my humans are afraid that I would start eating the fluff in the toys
To answer your question, I live in Malaysia, but my mummy started losing hair (its the hormones) after giving birth to me, so she was shaved to help her recovery be faster. But the vet said that she is getting better, so she’ll be beautiful again!
Kisses from
Princess Eva
xxxxxx
Kangaroos and stuff -- I thought they were a bit aggressive, with boxing/kicking attitudes? I would have stayed at home on that ABSOLUTELY ENVIABLE WONDERFUL bed of yours too!! Wish I had one. And your new house looks great, and you are so good at the new house rules. Now my Monica says I must learn those too… But I just LOVE “help” her rinsing the dishwasher… Hm, guess those times are over now…
Bundy the Bundle of Joy
Hi Honey!
Thanks for coming to visit our new blog. We are still going to blog on this one but we are going to let mom blog on there too. She and dad are going to do the baby thing soon and they want to keep the family informed. Mom thinks two blogs is too much for her to keep up with. We love seeing your new adventures…keep them coming. And keep an eye out for our photoshoot for BOXER magazine! We might get to be in a magazine like you!
Kisses
Boxen and Bella
You gave us a great idea about charging a big fee fer cuddles. We are working out the details right now. Perhaps a greenie and a liver treat fer each cuddle.
Hey maaaaawwwwwwmmmmmmyyyyyyy…
My humans went to a special exhibit of koalas at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee a few years back. They were warned not to touch the koalas, although they could walk right up to them. they are very interesting looking animals. Sometimes, with my youngest human brother, I watch a show called The Koala Brothers. Of course, it’s a cartoon, but we like koalas here!
Drools,
Thor
Hi Honey -- what amazing photos! We adored the mirror image Monday shot -- he he he -- it was great!! What did the kangeroo feel like? We’d like to snuggle one -- they look soft and cuddly!
We love the photo of you training for the pile on contest -- it looks like a great competition, so much fun!! Did you even notice the items being piled on?!! Are did you snooze through it -- he he he! You are so patient!
Schnauzer snuggles -- JD and Max.
Sounds like a great outdoor trip! Yup, snoozing at home is still the best hehe.
Hi Honey,
We would love to see a real koala. We used to have a koala stuffie but Ambrose ripped him up. We are very impressed with your dog pile efforts and how you can put items on your long legs. Ambrose is trying but can only keep a few toys on him. Thanks for mentioning my contest.
Your friends,
Niamh & Ambrose
It looks like your humans had lots of fun visiting all those critters! Meowm was surprised at how quickly those koalas can actually move! And the one hopping over the other…..too cute!
With all that stuff on you Honey…..you should win!
Oh we’ve just been reading about all your competitions. I can’t enter the dog pile one cos even though I’m trying to get as big as a Dane I’m not yet close, and Mrs Magoo is just plain small & skinny. Mangos competion looks like a doer for Mrs Magoo Crazy Dog Terriers but she might get arrested, do you think Mango would bail her out of jail and its due next Wednesday.
High Tail Wags -- Bodie & Goo
What great pictures of your humans at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. We had a good giggle at the pictures of koala jam in the trees. Hehehehe.
Looks like you’re a winner in the dog pile competition!
We hope you win!
licks and wags
The Dog Woods Pack
Thank you so much for bring us to the tour of the koala sanctuary! I enjoyed that very much! Love, Dino
What odd & loveable looking creatures!