Has your dog ever been a blood donor? Just like humans who donate blood, dogs can save lives by donating – it gives other canines a second chance at life.
One pup, who lives at a shelter in Texas, has been called a hero for donating blood to a dangerously anemic puppy who arrived at the shelter the smallest of his litter.
Bronson, a one-and-a-half-year-old terrier and Pit Bull mix, is currently waiting for his forever family at the non-profit rescue shelter Austin Pets Alive!, and took a break from playing with the best dog toys to step in and save the life of his new sheltermate.
Nemo was just one month old when he arrived at the shelter with his mother and siblings, and was “dangerously anemic” – there weren’t enough red blood cells supplying oxygen to his body. Pale dog gums are sometimes a sign of anemia, while it can be caused by even some common everyday items.
The shelter shared footage of Bronson being very well-behaved as the staff draw blood from him, before little Nemo is seen receiving the transfusion. It added alongside the footage, “Thanks to Bronson – and the daily, quick-thinking support of our clinic team – Nemo is doing so much better and is now in foster care with a few of his siblings.”
Nemo is doing well, but is still the smallest of his litter and he has a cloudy eye, which could indicate a vision impairment. Bronson, meanwhile, is still up for adoption after he was found abandoned and tied to a pole in the shelter’s parking lot last month. No microchip was detected, and nobody came forward to claim him.
According to the shelter, Bronson is a “goofy, high-energy adult pup with the heart of a puppy, a love for zoomies, a talent for stealing the spotlight with his giant expressive ears, and a joyful spirit that guarantees endless fun and affection.
“From being left behind to becoming a literal lifesaver, Bronson’s journey is a powerful reminder of how every animal has worth, and every one of them deserves a chance.”
If you’d like to find out more about Bronson, you can take a closer look on the shelter’s website.
Read next: I’ve had my rescue dog for six months, here are six things I’ve learned
