About Bauer

Bauer was more than just a dog — she was family. A resilient little soul with a huge heart, Bauer’s journey began on the side of a road in Arkansas. From there, she made her way to New Jersey, where we adopted her in 2020 and were lucky enough to have her light up our lives.

A mixed-breed rat terrier with the instincts of a herding dog, Bauer was always watching over her sisters, Bella and Brownie. Whether keeping tabs from across the yard or cuddling up on the couch, she carried a gentle, loving presence wherever she went. Bauer wasn’t just sweet — she was grounding. The kind of dog that made everything feel a little bit more like home.

At just four years old, Bauer suddenly lost her appetite. Within 72 hours, we found ourselves at Northstar Pet Hospital, desperately hoping for a blood transfusion to treat an autoimmune disorder that was attacking her red blood cells. The first location we visited didn’t have any blood available — we had to wait several hours for a generous dog (and their equally generous human) to arrive and donate, giving Bauer a fighting chance.

While the transfusions ultimately couldn’t save her, that experience changed us. It opened our eyes to something we hadn’t thought about before — the critical need for dog blood donors. There are countless dogs like Bauer who depend on the kindness of others in their most urgent moments.

This site is our way of honoring Bauer’s memory — by sharing her story, her spirit, and helping other pet lovers learn how they can help save lives.

We miss you every day, sweet girl.

In memory of Bauer, we invite eligible dogs and their families to join Bauer’s Buds, a special blood donation drive in her honor. By participating, you’ll help build a lifesaving resource for pets in emergencies—while giving your pup the chance to be a hero.

If your dog meets the above criteria (and especially if they're between 50–90 lbs, 1–7 years old, vaccinated, and well‑behaved), they could be a perfect candidate. We’ll coordinate with NorthStar VETS—or a local emergency vet partner—to schedule screening and donation.

❤️ Join Bauer’s Buds: give blood, save lives, and be part of Bauer’s legacy.

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NorthStar VETS Blood Bank (and similar programs) typically seek canine donors who meet the following criteria:

• Weight: At least 50 lb (22–23 kg), ideally lean and healthy 

• Age: Between 1 and 8 years old (some programs cap at 6 or 7)

• Health Status:

  • Free of infectious diseases and chronic conditions

  • No history of blood transfusion

  • No heart murmurs or cardiac issues 

• Medications: Only heartworm and flea/tick preventatives allowed—no other medications 

• Vaccinations: Up-to-date on core vaccines (distemper, parvo, bordetella, rabies); proof re

• Temperament: Calm, friendly, and able to lie still for approximately 10–20 minutes during collection

• Spay/Neuter: Most programs prefer spayed/neutered pets; some restrict those that have been used for breeding or had litters 

Perks of participating:

• Complimentary physical exam and detailed lab work at each donation

• Free blood typing (useful for future needs)

• If your pet ever needs a transfusion, they receive one unit of blood for each one donated, free of charge.
  
  

Dogs typically donate every 6 to 8 weeks, with up to 7 or 8 donations per year depending on the program.