Hey, that's great! Abby has been a blood donor for about a year now, with no ill effects. She loves to go to the vet, where they make a total fuss over her and shower her with attention and treats. And they are so grateful to have a dog who just sits there and lets them poke her to draw the blood and then rehydrate her. Not only is she saving lives, she's being a splendid ambassadress for the breed!
I was a bit nervous the first time, but Abby did great. In fact, on the way home I passed a Red Cross blood drive and stopped in and donated myself. You should have seen the looks on the nurses faces when I told them I was donating that day was "because my dog just gave blood, and I figured it was only fair."
The only time Abby had to be sedated was when we responded to a late night emergency call and they did a dog to dog transfusion right there in the operating room. The other dog's family were sitting huddled in the car when I dropped Abby off. I wanted to go hug them, 'cause the vet wasn't sure their dog would make it. Fortunately when I called next morning to find out about picking Abby up, the other dog was making the rafters ring with its barking (something the Abbers is far too well behaved to do
).
We've only got another year or so before Abby ages out of the program (she loses her eligibility at 8). So go for it!!!