Seven heroic dogs that worked several tireless years as contractors in Iraq for the U.S. Military and Coalition Forces returned to the U.S. for adoption in March 2011, aided by the help of SPCAI.

The dogs worked primarily in the ‘Green Zone’ sniffing out explosives in vehicles at checkpoints, military bases, the airport and in hotels where Americans stayed in Baghdad. Some of the dogs worked in land mine detection as well.

“We are extremely happy to be able to give these wartime heroes a new life in loving, caring homes after all their years of service in Iraq,” said Terri Crisp of the SPCA International. “These animals played an important and noble role protecting civilians and military personnel in Iraq and they deserve a comfortable retirement filled with love.”

The seven working dogs originally come from South Africa where they were trained before being relocated to Iraq and going to work for a security contractor based in Baghdad. The dogs were credited with finding a rocket at the Al Mansour Hotel in Baghdad which was housing several Americans and members of the media. That discovery may have saved hundreds of lives.

The dogs were retired from service at a typical age for service animals of their kind. Late in 2010, SPCA International learned that these American heroes were living in solitary dog runs with little hope of a happy future.

Since then, SPCA International supporters have rallied around the dogs – donating funds to help bring them to the United States and collecting over 7,000 signatures in support of their safe return.

The dogs range in age from 5 to 8 years old. All are in good health, except for one dog, Nugget, whose epilepsy forced his early retirement. All are very well trained and behaved. Currently, three of the seven dogs have adoptive homes awaiting their arrival, but SPCA International is still looking for the right homes for the remaining four.

People interested in giving these wartime heroes an honorable retirement in a loving home can email SPCA International at answers@spcai.org to enter the screening process. For more information, go to www.spcai.org.

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Currently, music distribution companies are responsible for getting recordings out to the buyers. This industry must sell recordings so that sales are made and composers and musicians are paid. Yet there are a number of professionals involved that the performer’s sales must pay for as well, including producers and recording companies. To promote their products, musicians must often do concerts for the pubic, especially if they want the distributor to get their product for CDs for sale on store shelves.

The financial and legal end of the business are managed by lawyers and accountants that ensure that enough money is accumulated to pay the people who the performer owes money too, before paying the recording artist. It is because of these professionals that the business runs efficiently. Today many marketing companies set up worldwide campaigns to market the product so they can sell millions of copies.

The industry has changed drastically since 2000, with CD sales dropping out and internet sales growing and taking over. Today, more radio stations are streaming music to the public than ever before. It is up to music distribution companies to make sure that all recordings make it to these stations and receive enough air time to make them popular with retail stores creating greater sales.

Distributors are required to create and maintain a comfortable relationship with all retailers and generally collect and record all payments and accounting histories. With many sales being made online this becomes a challenge at the best of times. Distribution companies market the materials to the online store, which is not easy, and today there are many online stores to contact.

Other responsibilities include ensuring that the product makes it to the buying consumer. Because of this the distributor must market directly to the stores, who then must market to the buyer. Performers without a contract and agent will find this extremely hard to do, as representation sells the product.

By using the internet and downloading performances, distribution marketers are slowly being eliminated. With sales dropping in retail venues, those marketing are leaning more toward internet malls to make products available. The internet sales are massive, so corporations have changed tactics and use many smaller venues to produce larger sales.

In today’s market you will also find sub-distributors as well. These distributors are the middleman between the distribution companies and the retailer and may distribute for many companies, or brands, at the same time. A sale is a sale after all. The industry today is huge, so many large corporations are happy to use an assortment of these smaller marketing agents to ensure they maximize all sales.

Today, the niche seller has also come aboard and is selling wares by category. You can pick from any of the popular music types. But, at present, they account for a very limited percentage of all sales globally, although even big music distribution companies are retailing their artist using these niche markets.

There are many ways to promote your music online. Getting music promotion through music video distribution can help get your music on iTunes or many other music broadcasters.

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Donors Can Create Their Own ‘Fundraising Page’ to Benefit Operation Baghdad Pups for the Holidays

NEW YORK–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–SPCA International (www.spcai.org) celebrates the holiday season by launching a new online social fundraising platform that gives supporters the opportunity to create their own fundraising page to help raise the much needed funds to fulfill the SPCA International ‘Operation Baghdad Pups’ mission.

Operation Baghdad Pups is one of the SPCA International’s largest, most prominent programs and has been recognized internationally for its success in reuniting U.S. Troops with their beloved pets befriended during service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program provides veterinary care and coordinates the complex logistics and transportation challenges to make these miraculous reunions possible.

The new social fundraising platform is designed to be fun and easy for supporters to use. The SPCAI hopes that supporters will enjoy this opportunity to engage in social activism online.

“It’s an incredible feeling to see one of our military heroes reunite with a dog or cat they befriended while they were serving overseas but had to leave behind when their duty was done,” said Stephanie Scott of the SPCA International.

“It is amazing to witness the deep bond between our soldiers and their war-time buddies. For many U.S. troops, these animals were part of their military family and were involved in everyday military operations.”

To date, Operation Baghdad Pups has rescued 284 dogs, 76 cats and one donkey. To learn more go to www.spcai.org. To visit the new social fundraising platform directly visit: http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=4187.

Learn way more in regard to SPCAI by visiting their own webpage.

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People that own an animal of any kind are usually faced with all kinds of costs and complications that must all be worked through. A significant number of pet owners are very concerned with the behaviors and actions of their pets as they are often deemed as being very challenging to deal with and stress over throughout the ownership process. Anyone contemplating this process for their pet should learn the general benefits of dog training in order to make sure they gain as much as possible from the entire process.

Dogs are some of the most unique and interesting pets that are owned by people around the planet today. They are often seen as very loyal and lovable pets that provide the basis of companionship and even assistance in many cases to owners that utilize their talents for specific reasons. Many owners of these pets have them specifically trained to deal with various needs and complications throughout their lives.

The training process of these animals is actually quite popular and has been in existence for quite some time. The commands and specific techniques that are learned throughout the process are known to be very beneficial whenever they are acquired and adapted which makes them very unique and specific. People that know the benefits of performing this process are commonly able to gain quite a bit from the process.

An increased sense of order and discipline is perhaps the most fundamental benefit realized from this process . The order and discipline that is provided for the pet helps create a great sense of knowledge and control in the eyes of the animal. This is often much more beneficial for people that own a pet that is too unruly and hyper to control.

The relationship of the pet and owner is also a main proponent of this entire process. The owner and pet are traditionally known to form a bond with one another which can prove to be quite strong and powerful at its height. This bond is often even further strengthened through this process as trust and ownership is much more instilled within the animal.

The courses that are created for this process are often quite fun and exciting for the dog to endure. The actual classes that are created are known to provide quite a bit of fun for the animal which is usually seen through the ability to create order and structure within their minds. There are usually work and reward practices created in most cases which makes it much more fun for the dog to endure.

Owners considering this process often find quite a few variations made available to them. These variations are often deemed as providing specific skills and traits in the animal that may actually prove to be useful. This provides the foundation of being able to make sure that all procedures one wants their dog to learn are able to be taught.

Dog training is also known to be rather affordable to pay for. Owners are often surprised to learn that many courses are offered at very low prices. This helps keep the entire process within most budgets whenever it is being considered.

Safe and trustworthy puppy training is something that is taken very seriously. Allow these friendly and experienced specialists to provide dog training London Ontario for your dog. Bark Busters in Home Dog Training Toronto, ON (416) 988-3169 +1 866-418-4584

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“No Buddy Left Behind” Tells of Emotional Stories from Crisp’s 31 Trips to Iraq & Afghanistan

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The SPCA International announces that Program Manager Terri Crisp’s most recent book on her work for the animal welfare organization is receiving positive national media attention. Through on-going media requests and interviews with author Crisp on her work in “No Buddy Left Behind”, SPCAI says the urgent need still in effect to protect and rescue dogs and animals from active combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq is getting out to the American public.

Since the release of her book this month, Crisp has been featured through media outlets such as CBS’ “Up to the Minute”, nationally syndicated radio show “A Touch of Grey”, Tails Magazine and Guideposts.

In “No Buddy Left Behind”, Crisp writes of her efforts through SPCA International to save and bring U.S. Troops’ dogs and cats safely home from the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Crisp works for the organization’s famous ‘Operation Baghdad Pups’ program. Crisp and her SPCA International team have saved the lives of over 223 dogs and 42 cats, which were rescued and befriended by U.S. Troops and the military since February 2008.

Terri Crisp is also the author of “Out of Harm’s Way” and “Emergency Animal Rescue Stories”. As program manager for the SPCA international Operation Baghdad Pups, she had made more than 30 trips to Iraq and Afghanistan and has appeared on national TV news programs and featured in several publications for her international work.

To learn more on Terri’s book and the Operation Baghdad Pups program go to www.spcai.org.

If you’d like even more information, it’s possible to conduct an interview with Terri. To interview Terri email jack.heath@spcai.org.

Discover a lot more with regard to SPCA International by visiting their particular web-site.

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It is not always easy to find a dog that suits your needs. It is common that most people buy the first dog that strikes a chord in their heart, while other prefer to do some serious research and weigh in their options before getting a dog. There are certain important things that you need to find out if you are interested in a Manchester Terrier.

The first thing that you should understand is that Manchester Terrier’s come in two different varieties. These varieties are the Toy Manchester variety and the Standard Manchester variety. Both these varieties have the same general characteristics and are only different from one another in terms of their height.

Let us take an example, the toy Manchester Terrier variety generally weighs between 6-12 pounds whereas the standard Manchester Terrier variety weighs in between 16-19 pounds. Also there is a well noticed difference in height of the dogs of these two varieties which is reflected by the small size of the toy Manchester variety. Toy Manchester variety dogs grow up to about 10-12 inches whereas the standard variety grows to a height of about 15-17 inches.

Both the varieties of the Manchester Terrier are highly intelligent and very loyal. Even though the toy Manchester variety possesses hunting skills just like the standard Manchester variety, it is still not used for this purpose. Having said that whether you get a toy or a standard Manchester variety it is highly unlikely that you are going to use it to hunt, be it the rats that they were specifically bred to hunt, or any other animals.

The Manchester Terrier breed of dogs is mainly used as companion or competition dogs. These are very intelligent and can be easily trained if the training commences at an early age. Otherwise it is well known fact that both toy and standard Manchester Terriers can become moody or willful and sometimes even not listen to their owner. Providing training to your Manchester Terrier requires use of a firm hand.

One thing that you really want to think about while getting a Manchester Terrier is whether you have children, especially young children, in your house. This is because if the fact that Manchester terriers have a tendency to become aggressive in some situations if the aggression has not been bred out of them or if they have not been trained from a very early age.

And because Manchester Terriers were originally bred as rat or rodent hunters, and in case you have any pet hamsters, gerbils or mice in your home then it is better that you look for some other breed of dog or say goodbye to your rodent pet. Although Manchester Terriers can be kept alone with small animals with proper training and that too from an early age, it is advised not to indulge in such a practice since you have no idea when the natural hunting instinct of your Terrier would kick in. The best thing that can be done is removing the source of the temptation altogether!

Check out this great dog book on toy dog breeds.

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Have you ever thought from where do all those cute and cuddly pets in the pet store came from? Well a very few of those might have come from an unknown location, and a few might have come from the Pinta, the Nina and the Santa Maria, but most of those pets come from different pet breeders.

These people are the ones who make it their life’s work to breed certain type of pets. If the pet breeders breed only one type of pet, or they specialize in a certain type of pet breed, then the value of these pets do tend to go up in price. These, of course are the better breeders.

The first the foremost thing that you need to do if you are looking for a pet and scouting pet stores, is to investigate regarding the background of your intended choice for a pet. Some of the basic questions that you need to ask are what is its lineage; does it have any genetic flaws or have disease been bred out if it; what illnesses can it have; but the most important question that you need to ask is where does it come from?

All of these are valid questions and it is necessary that they be asked before buying a pet as these would help you to make your decision in a better and easier manner. The question given at the last, “where does your pet come from?” is very important if you are thinking of avoiding a pet that has come from a pet mill.

In pet mills, animas are bred just like in a factory without any kind of care. Even though they are not ill treated physically, this may be the case in some situations, they are ill treated in the manner in which they are forced to live. This is why it is a very good idea to ensure that your pet does not come from a pet mill, and whether it has originally from a good and reputed pet breeder, who cares for his pets rather than for money.

Not all pet breeders are uncaring or selfish. Most of the pet breeders love their work and the pets that they have bred and provide the best care for their pets. These pets are given very humane and good conditions to live in.

However, if you are thinking of getting a pet straight from a pet breeder rather than a pet store, then this a wonderful opportunity for you to choose a good pet for yourself. In a situation like this you can ask the pet breeder to give you a tour of his facility and this can surely help you in getting more information on the breeder.

In today’s modern age getting access to information is not at all difficult, and all you need is a little bit of hunting to get all the information you need to help you identify breeders who are well known for their breeding techniques and who provide the best care for their pets.

Check out this great dog book on purebred dog breeds.

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Most dog owners know the importance of dog training. Without proper training a dog will not behave in a civilized manner but rather its behaviors will mainly be controlled by its animal instincts. Having a dog that is not trained or properly trained is often a course of frustration to its owner. Thus, you may choose to get a dog that has been trained so that it will be well behaved.

If you are someone with a busy schedule or you do not know the last thing about training dogs, you will many experts very close to you who will help you train your dog for a small fee. Nevertheless, training your dog by yourself is very rewarding as it gives you a chance to know your pet very well and to build a strong relationship.

People use different kinds of strategies to train their dogs. While there is really no right or wrong approach, the approaches that produces more results are those that have an element of rewards and reinforcements. Reward entails showing your dog that it has done something right anytime it gets an action right during training. The reward could be something big or small but let the dog knows that you appreciate its efforts.

The best time to reward a dog is immediately it gets the command right. If you reward it immediately, it is very easy for it to make a correlation between its action and the reward. However, if you delay until a later time to reward it out of the blue, it would just think that you are probably feeling good and that is why you are giving it a treat. Thus, the reward should be linked to the action.

When it continues to do what you want during training, rewarding it is known as reinforcing its behavior. Reinforcement will enable it to be more consistent in his behavior because it will strive to do more of what you expect so that it can get the rewards. The fact remains that the repetition of the action that you want will ensure that it is conditioned to behave in that consistent manner all of the time.

However, for your rewards and reinforcement strategy to be effective, you should make sure that you are totally in control all of the time. You should be the one that determines when the dog gets a treat and the quantity and quality that it receives. Otherwise, your pet will demand a treat all of the time before it obeys your command and they it becomes a sort of payment for good behavior. You need a pet that it obedient to you all the time whether there are treats or not.

Something else that you have to consider about reinforcements is that you need flexibility in your strategy. If you are too rigid it will not be long before a pattern set in and once you are set in your patterns, a smart dog will use that to its advantage. For example, if you have a habit of rewarding on the tenth command, you will find out that your dog will only be concerned about performing excellently at the tenth command.

The best part is that it will even continue to behave in that consistent manner even when you have stopped giving it the rewards. This is because you would have already created a strong neural pathway in your dog and it will find it hard to behave otherwise. In short, in your dog training sessions you will have wired your dog to behave in the manner that you want.

Allow these friendly specialists to train your dog or puppy. The knowledgeable dog training Vancouver staff will help safeguard your small children and furniture by teaching obedience to your pet. Bark Busters in Home Dog Training Toronto, ON (416) 988-3169 ()   +1 866-418-4584 () ‎

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Dogs are known to be very friendly animals. As you are choosing the dog that you want you may suddenly see a bundle of fluff streaking across your path. What you are looking at is that of a Labrador puppy. These gentle yet highly excited puppies are the perfect pets. You will need to think about which type of Labrador puppy that you want to adopt. This is due to the fact that the Labrador breed comes in two different types.

These two types or subdivisions are English Labrador and American Labrador. Further both these dogs have different looks that can aid you in deciding which one to get for yourself. The Labrador breed has four differently colored dogs to choose from, and you may consult your breeder on which one to get based on your lifestyle.

A Labrador puppy can be found in silver, yellow, chocolate and black color. Usually one color that is omitted more often than not is silver, because of the controversy related to this color among major dog breeders. According to some breeders any Labrador puppy that has a silver coat is actually a cross between a Labrador and a Weinmeriner. While other breeders argue that the silver color is actually a true mutation.

A Labrador is more likely to fit into the lifestyle of a person who is energetic in nature as Labradors are known to be full of energy. The lab, as it is more commonly known as, is a dog that has a great liking for swimming activities. Unlike other dogs, a lab is bred to swim. These dogs are excellent swimmers due to webbing found on their paws. It is great to find that the Labrador breed has a very easy to groom, water resistant coat, which proves to be an added advantage for Labrador owners.

Like all puppies the Labrador puppy loves to socialize. They can be trained so that you have a well disciplined puppy. As these dogs are very active you can exercise them with no problems. You will however need to give your puppy some type of activity to keep them occupied. Without this activity and disciple the Labrador puppy will become highly destructive.

While the Labrador breed was not bred for being a guard dog it does have this capability. You may want to broaden the scope of learning which will influence your puppy when it is a full grown dog. The patience that you show in training your Labrador puppy will help you to have a healthy and very happy puppy.

Check out this great dog book on different breed of dogs.

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Getting to know what kind of a dog a Puggle is, is the first step towards buying a Puggle as a pet. This would provide you with a whole new outlook on how to deal with your new puppy and what things you need to look out for when your small puppy grows up into a big Puggle dog.

The first and the foremost thing that should be noted is that a mature Puggle is almost of the same height as a Puggle puppy, i.e. 13-15 inches in height and about 14-20 pounds in weight. This means that you can easily keep your fully grown Puggle dog in our lap just like you use to keep him in your lap when he was a small puppy (unless of course it is in a mood to play and refuses to sit in your lap!)

A Puggle is basically a cross between Beagle and a Puggle dog. A true purebred Puggle puppy needs to be bred from a purebred Beagle mother and a pure bred Pug father. The result of such a cross breeding is a Puggle that can features of both the Beagle mother and the Pug father.

If you are bored by monotonicity in the color of dogs, then you would be happy to find out that a Puggle puppy comes in various different colors such as tan color, beige, silver, black and sometimes even a fawn and a white spotted mix. The hair on your new Puggle puppy would generally be short and smooth and would require very little grooming.

Puggles also have the wrinkled face and droopy ears characteristics that their parents showcase and also have a tendency to be stocky and short, with a curly wiggly tail. A Puggle is a pet that strives on love and it requires more time spent on love and affection than on grooming.

A Puggle puppy is also one small bundle of energy and loves nothing better than to play, so they make great family pets especially if there are young children around for them to play with. Puggles can be great social animals if introduced to the concept at an early age, but are otherwise friendly anyway.

A Puggle puppy has a good temperament but that does not mean that they cannot be used as guard dogs, once they are adequately trained and nurtured for this task. Although a Puggle would not bark like a beagle, it would surely give you a warning bark if it sees any stranger wandering near your house.

Your Puggle puppy, besides being energetic and mischief prone, will also be intelligent and trainable. They have good listening skills and they will become very loyal to their masters.

The best traits about your Puggle puppy however, all lies in his adorable features. The wrinkled-up appearance and the droopy ears make your Puggle puppy a truly captivating puppy and not one to be overlooked by anyone.

Check out those dog photo books for great husky dog pictures.

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