I heard that Balasaheb Deo was told by Sai to feed a black dog to overcome his obstacles. Can you confirm this from the text?

The source material from Chapter 41 does not confirm that Sai Baba told Balasaheb Deo to feed a black dog. In fact, there is no mention of a black dog in this account at all. The chapter focuses on Deo's specific struggle, which was his inability to consistently read the Dnyaneshwari despite a strong desire. The text explains that Deo's resolution was not to perform a specific ritual, but to wait until Sai Himself gave him the order or the inner love to begin reading the sacred text. As described in Chapter 41, this highlights a devotee's complete faith and surrender to the Guru's timing.