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THE
MOST REMARKABLE CREATURE I’VE EVER MET
Blackie – adopted September 2007 from the Louisiana SPCA
Giving, devoted, comforting, and longtime companion – these are
all the qualities that are inherent with man’s best friend. But
when you encounter service dogs you’re taking all the qualities
and elevating it to the ninth degree. Service dogs play an
amazing role in the lives of their humans and ultimately define
the human/animal bond.
But what do you make of a canine companion that is displaying
all the signs of a service dog but has never been trained as
one, especially one that arrived at an animal shelter as a
traumatized stray – his magical gifts unknown.
 When
Martin Alcoser, who is suffering from a type of cancer that has
invaded most of his body and leads to severe narcoleptic
seizures, came to the Louisiana SPCA in September 2007 simply
looking for a new animal companion there was a magical
connection the moment he met Philly (now named Blackie).
Martin, who now suffers up to three to four seizures a day which
makes him appear as if he’s sleeping, was unable to share his
story in words, but his caretaker, Lawrence Hallaran, related
the story that is nothing short of a love story and a story of
fate for both Martin and his furred partner, Blackie.
Lawrence says that Martin has always been drawn to animals that
others may overlook but Martin was immediately drawn to Blackie,
and their connection became an immediate bond. After meeting
Blackie in the adoptable section of the LA/SPCA Lawrence said
Martin was adamant about adopting him. “I’m not leaving without
that dog,” Martin said to Lawrence.
Lawrence said the connection was also tinged with nostalgia, as
the dog at the LA/SPCA bore an eerie resemblance to Martin’s
previous dog (also named Blackie), that had died of natural
causes in July 2006.
The first few weeks that the newly adopted Blackie settled into
his new home, he still showed signs of an earlier trauma –
tentative, afraid, clumsy, prone to having accidents in the
home, chewing on furniture; Lawrence wondered if they had made
the right decision.
But suddenly Blackie began showing an unknown gift. He began
sensing Martin’s need, and especially sensing when Martin was
about to have a seizure. He also began letting Lawrence know
that Martin needed help if Lawrence happened to be in another
room. “I’ve seen animals who lead the blind, but with Blackie
it’s like he’s got a holy spirit,” says Lawrence. “For example
Martin was chocking once and Blackie ran into the room to get me
to let me know that something was wrong. It’s like he’s so in
tuned. I never taught him; Martin never taught him but he just
knows.”
 During
our recent visit, as Martin went into a seizure, Blackie hopped
on the sofa to Martin’s side resting his head in his lap in an
effort to comfort him. Shortly there after, Blackie began urging
Lawrence with light barks. Blackie didn’t relax until Lawrence
began taking Martin’s blood pressure. Blackie then rested his
paw upon the blood pressure cuff, in an effort to help.
Over the past year, Lawrence said Blackie has become very
protective of Martin and the two are practically inseparable.
Lawrence relates the story of how Blackie started escaping from
the house every time Martin was gone for several hours at the
doctor’s office. “We finally realized he had figured out how to
pull down on the door handle; he couldn’t stand to be separated
from Martin.” At night, Lawrence said, you’ll always find
Blackie lying at Martin’s side alertly listening for any sounds
of discomfort that may come from Martin.
Lawrence hopes that when the time comes Blackie can accompany
Martin on doctor visits and hospital stays, because of the
comfort he brings him.
Although Blackie has never had training as a service dog and has
never been certified as one, Lawrence is convinced his role in
this life is to be Martin’s guardian angel. “He knows what
Martin needs,” says Lawrence. “He just knows it. I’ve seen a lot
of good dogs at the SPCA,” says Lawrence, “But he’s the most
remarkable creature I’ve ever met.”
- Gloria Dauphin
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