RECENTLY, I saw a Facebook story appealing for help to save a "school dog," Blackie.

It was posted by a student, who expressed concern that authorities were trying to catch Blackie, possibly with not very humane intentions in mind.

She wrote: "This dog has been at the school before we even started school. She has kept us company during our first year in school. She doesn't cause trouble in the school, she doesn't even poop all over or anything. She walks with the students when we go for a taxi, making sure we good and she chills with the security."

She lamented that management was trying to remove Blackie because of an upcoming graduation ceremony that the President was due to attend. Allegedly, the institution did not want "strays" around during Her Excellency's visit.

"This dog is a mascot and should be taken care of by the school," the student wrote. "She looks out for us..."

On reading her words, one of my first thoughts was "What if the Honourable Christine Kangaloo is an animal lover?"

If so, she might have been delighted to meet Blackie upon arrival.

On the website of the Office of the President, the presidential bio states (in part): "In Ms Kangaloo’s first ministerial position, as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Social Services Delivery, Ms Kangaloo acquired an in-depth knowledge and awareness of the needs of vulnerable, disenfranchised, marginalised and disadvantaged persons, and sought to become a voice for these persons."

I imagine that a woman with such a background and interest might understand that many who are "vulnerable, disenfranchised, marginalised and disadvantaged" are also of the animal kind – Blackie being one case in point.

The About Us section of the website of the Port of Spain branch of the TT Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) says: "Up until TT became a republic, successive governors/governor generals were the patrons of the society. Since 1976 the presidents of the twin-island republic have assumed sponsorship of the society."

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If still the case, this means that Her Excellency is likely the current patron of the TTSPCA...certainly not someone for whom an apparently much-loved "school dog" should be removed.

Various people, myself included, sought a solution for Blackie by sharing the Facebook post, resulting in a wave of voices (including some well-known ones, like designer Brian McFarlane) speaking up on behalf of the dog:

"Save her."

"Do not remove her."

"Write and appeal directly to the President."

"Contact the school's authorities." And so on.

In the end, "animal rescuer" Komal Ramcharitar made the trek down south to collect Blackie, with intentions of taking her to safety until a solution could be found (eg adoption, or acceptance at the school). However, on her arrival, Komal was informed Blackie was not wanted and should not be returned.

The former "school mascot" was taken to a veterinary clinic for spaying