Photo description:

Dr. Liz Ostendorf of the Neepawa Vet Clinic gently cradles her dog Finley's head as Paige Orser, regional unit manager with the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, prepares to insert a needle into the animal's jugular vein to withdraw blood. Ostendorf volunteered Finley and her other dog, Tess, and brought them to work with her for the blood donor clinic, held on Feb. 27. The need for donated blood is great, Orser said, and the blood is used almost as quickly as it is collected. The blood will go to the bank's head office and Winnipeg, and from there will be transported to save the lives of dogs living across the country. (Miranda Leybourne/The Brandon Sun)