Some animals don't have hearts. They are not dependent on blood. Some (sea dwellers) don't have brains. Yet they are "alive". Didja know?

The heartless

Jellyfish
Flatworms
Corals and Polyps
Sea Lilies
Sea Anemones
Starfish
Sea cucumber

Some have more than one heart. The Octopus has 3. The Hag fish has 4. Earthworms have 5 yearts.

So we know animals can be "alive" having neither heart nor brain which would explain the dipstick.