Superstar Dog Mercury helped save the lives of up to 112 other dogs! photo Superstar dog Mercury wins charity award for outstanding support Charity Pet Blood Bank UK has this month announced the winners in their Heart of Pet Blood Bank Awards 2019-20, with dog Mercury taking the top prize. Mercury, who lives with his owner Claire Martin in Birmingham, was recognised with the Bramble Craddock Award for his outstanding contribution to Pet Blood Bank, as well as for making a difference in the lives of others by donating blood and working as a therapy dog for children with disabilities. The Heart of Pet Blood Bank Awards seek to recognise inspiring people and dogs who go the extra mile to support the charity. The Bramble Craddock Award is the category which celebrates the wonderful role that dogs play in our lives. It was created in honour of one of the charity’s highest donating dogs who sadly passed away. Mercury has helped to save many lives by donating blood. He donated 28 times to Pet Blood Bank before taking a well earned retirement. This number of donations means he has helped to save the lives of up to 112 other dogs. He has also donated on several occasions for local emergencies, helping to save the lives of two more dogs. Mercury works as a therapy dog in a specialist school for children with a range of disabilities. Here, he helps the children to develop their skills and gain confidence around dogs. He is calm, gentle, and loved by all the children. When Mercury first came to owner Claire, he was terrified and scared. But, over time, they worked together and formed a special bond and trust. With Claire’s gentle, kind and loving approach, Mercury blossomed into a gentle and loving dog himself, a far cry from the dog she first brought home. Mercury is a truly outstanding dog who has made a difference in the lives of so many dogs and people. Mercury and Claire were presented with their award at a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Pet Blood Bank on Tuesday 2 March 2021. On receiving Mercury’s award, Claire said, ‘Winning the Bramble Craddock Award was a wonderful and very emotional achievement. Mercury loves people and he truly loved donating every one of his 28 blood donations to Pet Blood Bank. He loved the attention and kindness of the team who cared for him during the donation process.’ ‘We are incredibly honoured to know one of his emergency blood recipients - a little Italian greyhound called Herbie who is one of Mercury's best doggy friends and who certainly wouldn't have survived without his blood. I could not recommend more strongly that any owners of suitable dogs get in touch with Pet Blood Bank in the certainty that their dogs will be treated like royalty if they become donors.’ Runner up of the Bramble Craddock Award was another wonderful dog, Flash, who lives with his owner Christopher Yates in Northampton. As well as being a donor for Pet Blood Bank, Flash works as a Pets as Therapy dog and a Blue Cross Education dog where he helps people with mental health conditions and children respectively.
Pet Blood Bank is the only charity offering a lifesaving blood service for all dogs across the UK. Just like the human blood service, dog owners kindly bring their much loved companions to give blood at one of the charity’s many donation sessions across the country. This blood is then processed and stored, ready to be sent out to vets when they need it for a patient. The blood is truly lifesaving with every donation having the potential to help save up to four other dogs. More dog donors are always needed to keep up with the increasing demand for blood products. If you have a happy, healthy, and confident dog who is aged between 1 and 8 and over 25kg they could be a lifesaver. To find out more, please visit www.petbloodbankuk.org.