Zhu Bao has been a blood donor for more than a year, in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Zhu Bao is a dog.
"I am so proud of him," his owner, Chen Danqi said.
"Since the beginning of this year my dog has donated three times, giving 20 to 30 ml of blood. It was very obedient and docile when the vets and nurses took blood," Chen said.
Zhu Bao saved the life of a 2-month-old hound, Di Di, which was infected by a virus and was suffering from bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting.
"Di Di was hemorrhaging severely and would have died if it had not been given a timely blood transfusion," Jiang said.
Veterinarians said dogs need blood transfusions when they have canine viruses and injuries. In China there are few sources for dog blood.
"Like human beings, dogs have their own blood types, but most pet surgeries do not differentiate.
"My dog, Bobby, has donated blood to more than 100 dogs. Its blood type is like the O-type blood of humans," Jiang said.
"We limit the number of times a dog can donate its blood. Generally, a dog donates some 20 to 30 ml of blood once a month and we will give it some nutrients afterward."
Blood transfusions for other animals can be more complicated. In September, a 3-year-old white rhino at Shanghai Zoo was seriously ill and needed to have a blood transfusion. The zoo used blood from sika deer, horses and red deer.
Questions:
1. From which province does the ‘blood doner dog’ Zhu Bao come from?
2. How did Zhu Bao react when the vets put needles into him?
3. When would a dog require a blood transfusion?
4. How often can a dog usually donate blood?
Answers:
1.Sichuan.
2.Very calm, “obedient and docile”.
3.When they have a virus or an injury.
4.Once a month.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Brendan is an Australian who has been involved in education and writing for over a decade. He has been published most recently for the Tiger Airways Inflight magazine, The Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times and Japan's Hiroshima Outside Magazine. He holds a Masters Degree in Community Development and Management and has resided in China for over 3 years.
