Earle has been a donor. It was a fluke situation. He just happened to be at the clinic for a routine exam when an emergency came in. I think the other dog had been hit by a car. This was before Earle got sick, so I'm not sure he could donate anymore(he's on daily meds), but Earle and I would both do it again if asked.

My vet often uses shelter dogs as blood donors. He doesn't have the facilities to store blood on a long term basis. There is almost always a shelter dog at the clinic so they are available to donate. When Stuart worked at the shelter, he had a standing agreement with the clinic that they could use the dogs as blood donors. Saved time in an emergency--made good PR for the dogs too. I know of a couple who had been at the shelter for a long time who got adopted shortly after their "heroic" donations were publicized! A good story, or a sob story, almost always increases a dog's adoption odds!