Arnie the English springer spaniel may be classed a gun dog, but he is a real blood hound, donating 21 pints to help more than 80 other beloved pets.
Owner Rachel McFarlane, 36, took Arnie to his first blood donor session for the Pet Blood Bank in 2015 after reading an appeal for canine donors.
She said: “It’s amazing the number of people who have never heard of dogs donating blood.”
Arnie has just had to retire as a blood donor after turning nine, the age limit.
As well as being aged between one and eight, canine blood donors must be more than 25kg, fit and healthy, and not have been abroad recently.
Each pint donated has the potential to save the lives of four dogs, meaning Arnie could have helped 84 other pets.
Dog groomer Rachel, from Falkirk, Stirlingshire, said Arnie was almost three when he gave his first donation, but she would have signed him up sooner if she had known about the service.
Dogs have two blood types, positive and negative, with the most common being positive, which is what Arnie is. Rachel said: “Each pint can go towards helping four other dogs. He would have started earlier, but I didn’t know about it.
“I don’t think a lot of people know about it. Until you are in the situation it’s maybe not something you think about.
“It is very unusual for a springer spaniel to be able to donate because they are generally under 25kg. It is normally bigger dogs, such as poodles, labradors, and German shepherds, you see donating.
“But Arnie is big for his breed so he has been able to do it. When he goes they take a little sample of his blood to make sure everything is OK. Then they get him up on the table to put the needle in his neck to draw the pint.
“Some dogs are so relaxed they are almost sleeping while the blood is being taken, but Arnie is a bit too highly strung for that.”
Dogs can go every eight weeks to make a contribution.
Rachel, who also has border terrier Finlay, aged 15, takes Arnie to a vet in Dunfermline to donate.
She said: “The nurses distract Arnie with lots of gravy bones and treats and I have been able to go in with him.
“He is always fine when he is getting it done and loves having everyone fuss over him.”
Arnie got a goodie bag after every donation and was even given a hamper with his favourite treats and toys when he retired.
Rachel said: “Arnie is not the cleverest of spaniels, but he has certainly done a wonderful job over the years. He’s a good boy.”
