Christmas is supposed to be spent celebrating with family and loved ones, but for Neil and Andie, they were faced with the heartbreaking possibility of losing their beloved 11-year-old Labradoodle, Bodhi.
Bodhi had been part of the family from the very beginning. His father, Sully, was already owned by Neil and Andie, and when Bodhi was just one week old, they knew he was the puppy they would bring home.
But, just days before Christmas 2025, Bodhi began passing dark urine. Knowing something wasn't right, his owners took him straight to their local vets, Frame and Swift in Penrith.
There, the team diagnosed Bodhi with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), a life-threatening condition that causes the immune system to destroy its own red blood cells.
Despite treatment, Bodhi's condition continued to deteriorate. As Christmas drew closer, time was running out.
One week before Christmas, Bodhi received a lifesaving blood transfusion. The following day, he was referred to the Hospital for Small Animals at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, over 100 miles away in Edinburgh, where specialist vets discovered he was suffering from Evans syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that attacks both red blood cells and platelets.
For the next nine days, Bodhi remained in intensive care. He was critically ill, requiring around-the-clock care in the Hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Service.
While most families were preparing for Christmas celebrations, his owners were making the journey from Penrith to Edinburgh each day to visit him, determined to let him know his family was still there.
During Bodhi's stay, his family met some of our incredible donor dogs at a donation session that was being hosted by the Hospital, giving them the opportunity to personally thank the donors and owners whose generosity helps save the lives of dogs every day.
Finally, on Boxing Day, the news they had been desperately hoping for came; Bodhi was well enough to come home.
Dr Katrina Manson, Senior Clinician at the Hospital for Small Animals at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: ‘Bodhi was extremely unwell when he was referred to us. He had received a blood transfusion at his local vet practice, which provided vital support and allowed us time to investigate the cause of his symptoms. Evan’s Syndrome can be very difficult to treat, and sadly not all affected dogs survive, so we were all so pleased that Bodhi responded to treatment and got better.’
Now a year on, Bodhi still has regular blood tests and ongoing treatment, and recovery has not been without challenges. He doesn't have the same energy he once did, and his family have had to make adjustments to keep him safe and healthy, but he is still a chilled-out dog that loves life.
This Christmas will look very different from last. Instead of wondering whether Bodhi will make it home, Neil and Andie will be celebrating with him right by their side.
For them, that's the greatest gift they could have asked for: ‘Without the blood transfusion, Bodhi would not have survived. The vets worked so hard to get him where he is today and described him as 'half a miracle'. Without donor dogs and their owners, many dogs would not be with us today, including our Bodhi. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.’
If your dog is fit and healthy, aged between 1 and 8 years old, and weighs more than 25kg, they could help give another dog the same second chance that Bodhi received. Visit our dog blood donation pages to learn more.
