DOGGIE DONORS NEEDED
Canine pal gives the gift of life
Community Journal, Ypsilanti, MI, Jan. 2001
To her family , Macey is 50-plus pounds of pure
canine love. The rottweiler is also a hero
- to her family and to dogs undergoing
surgery at a local animal hospital.
For the past five years, Macey donated
blood for other dogs at the Howell Animal
Hospital where her owner is a
licensed veterinary technician.
The
8-year-old rottweiler is one of only a
handful of dogs in the county performing
this valuable service.
"She's been responsible for saving at
least a couple of our patients, making it
possible to perform surgery when it was
needed, rather than having to wait and try
medical therapy," said the hospital's veterinarian.
"We're always looking for donor dogs,"
the vet said. "We never have enough,
especially those with a universal donor
blood type. They're not easy to find. Only
one in 15 has the universal type."
Because Macey's donations have been so
valuable, she was among the first
recipients of the "Everyday Hero" awards,
presented to her and several human heroes
this year by the Livingston County chapter
of the American Red Cross.
"Macey has proven that she is not only
'man's best friend' in her family, but
also to her fellow canine friends," said
they, executive director of the
Livingston County Red Cross chapter. The
dog was nominated by an area pet supply
store in the "Man's Best Friend" category,
one of nine award categories. The other
eight are reserved for human heroes.
It appears Macey has started a trend.
"We're definitely going to give an award
to another animal during our Salute to
Everyday Heroes in March," the director said.
"This is a wonderful way to recognize acts
of valor and kindness of all kinds.
Canine donation involves
inserting a hollow needle into an artery -
the dog's jugular. Blood is carried
through the needle to a flexible tube and
deposited in a sterile container. The
procedure is considered painless, except
for the initial prick of the needle,
and appears to have no long-term
effects.
Macey will be resting on her
laurels from here on, however. On Dec.
15, Macey's spleen was removed. A recent
checkup indicated Macey's recuperation is
going well.
"It's
kind of ironic," her owner said. "She
gave blood the first time for a dog having
a splenectomy, and, on Friday (Dec. 15),
she needed blood for her own spleen
removal. I guess it's true; what goes
around comes around."
A CHANGING OF THE GUARD DOGS
Marines: Sgt. Po Boy's Smokin' Joe is retired with
full honors as Pvt. Mac takes over duties at recruiting
depot.
San Diego, Jan., 2001
With a promotion, a
commendation and a pat on the rump, the
Marine Corps' top dog on the West Coast
was sent into retirement Friday.
Po Boy's Smokin' Joe, an English bulldog with a
sweet personality and an occasionally fierce
countenance, was retired with full honors in a
ceremony with a band, color guard and farewell
speech by a general.
"I spoke to Joe this morning," Maj. Gen. Jan C. Huly
told a gathering of several hundred at the Marine
Corps Recruit Depot. "He said, 'If only I could explain
to the audience: It's been a great ride, I've enjoyed
being a Marine and I've enjoyed contributing to the
Marine Corps.' "
Huly promoted Smokin' Joe from corporal to
sergeant, awarded him a meritorious service medal
and wished him farewell as he heads for retirement in
Tennessee with one of his former Marine Corps
handlers.
The corps adopted the English bulldog as its official
symbol after World War I when German soldiers,
marveling at the Marines' tenacity at the battle of
Belleau Wood, labeled their enemies hounds of hell.
In 1921, Gen. Smedley Butler, a two-time Medal of
Honor winner, brought Jiggs, an English bulldog, to
Marine Corps headquarters in Quantico, Va., and a
tradition was born. To this day, Marines refer to one
another as "devil dogs."
While there are numerous dogs as mascots in
bases worldwide, only three bulldogs have official
status, complete with identification card, service
number, rank and, yes, dog tag. Their duties involve
public relations and building morale. Besides the one
at the recruit depot here, other official canines are at
the recruit depot at Parris Island in South Carolina and
at the Marine Barracks in Washington.
For six years, Smokin' Joe has attended every
graduation ceremony for new recruits, gone on
recruiting trips, and reviewed the troops. He is the
most photographed individual--animal or human--ever
to serve at this depot.
Pushing 8 years old, Smokin' Joe, at a compact 52
pounds, has some arthritis in his hindquarters and is
not the frisky fellow he once was.
His name was a combination of the kennel in
Oklahoma City where he was born (Po Boy's) and the
nickname of the heavyweight boxer Joe Frazier.
His replacement is Pvt. Mac. As Smokin' Joe was
being retired, Mac was being sworn in.
Joe is a Marine but he is also a dog and there were
instances of doggy behavior during his time in uniform.
He once acted badly while left alone in the quarters of
a visiting VIP. His promotability suffered. "He was a
lance corporal a long time," said Dan Powers, his
former handler.
