Hearing Dogs for the Deaf

Paul Bullock and Popeye

Hearing Dog Popeye helped to save his deaf recipient’s life. When Paul suffered a heart attack he was alone in the house with Popeye, his faithful hearing dog. Popeye refused to let him lose consciousness, repeatedly licking his face until he came round sufficiently to call an ambulance. When Paul was admitted to hospital, Popeye was granted special permission to visit him every day and proved so popular with all patients and staff that he was appointed Ward Mascot.
In the six years that Popeye has worked with Paul, he has reliably alerted him on a daily basis to the sounds of the alarm clock, doorbell, specially adapted telephone, smoke alarm, firebell, ‘Fetch help’ and burglar alarm. On one occasion, when an extension lead caught fire outside, Popeye alerted Paul to the situation even though no alarm sounded.

Paul says of Popeye; "Popeye has given me confidence, made new friends for us, made others more aware of deafness and broken down some of the barriers that deafness causes. He is my friend and confidante and I talk to him all the time - but above all, he is my ears, and I owe the little chap my life. All in all, I owe Popeye far, far more than he owes me."

More information about Hearing Dogs for the Deaf can be found on their website www.hearing-dogs.co.uk

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