Mailman heartbroken when his favorite senior dog could no longer climb stairs to greet him — so he found a touching solution inspired by his late pup

Time had slowed the senior dog, and his owners carried the 70-pound pup up and down the steps.

PUBLISHED 5 HOURS AGO

(L) A senior black Labrador sitting on a couch. (R) A mailman delivering items. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Justin Paget, (R) Luis Alvarez)

In a world where people often rush through their routines without noticing the small things, one Colorado man chose to pause and help. Jeff Kramer, a mail carrier from Boulder, saw more than just addresses and mailboxes on his daily route; he also saw lives. And one life, in particular, caught his attention, an aging black Labrador named Tashi, who stood out not just for his wagging tail but for the quiet struggle he faced in his final years.

A dog with a blue belt on its neck (Representative Image Source : Michael Morse) — A dog with a blue belt on its neck. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Michael Morse)

Kramer built and installed a ramp for Tashi, a then 14-year-old dog who had grown too weak to climb the stairs into his home. Years earlier, Tashi had eagerly greeted Jeff every single day. “As fast as he could — which was not very fast — he ran up to me, tail wagging, first day I met him. He’s just a really friendly dog. And I am a dog person, and they can tell,” Jeff recalled. But time had slowed Tashi down. His owners, Karen and her husband, had been carrying the 70-pound dog up and down the steps. “We were literally carrying him up and down the stairs,” Karen Dimetrosky said.

Mailman writing on a paper on top of a steering wheel - Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko — Mailman writing on a paper on top of a steering wheel. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Tima Miroshnichenko)

Kramer, a self-described dog lover, had once built a ramp for his own senior dog, Odie, who had since passed away, per the Daily Camera. The ramp had remained unused in his backyard for years. When Kramer saw Tashi struggling, he offered the materials to Karen and her family. “I just noticed they needed it,” he said. “I didn’t need it anymore, and I hate throwing things away.” However, the wood sat unassembled for a while, as Karen admitted they weren’t very handy. “We’re not very handy. I’m more handy than my husband, but I didn’t know how to put that together,” she shared. So Kramer came over on his day off and installed the ramp himself.

A black labrador sleeping (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Julia Elisa) — A black labrador sleeping. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Julia Elisa)

“He’s just amazing. We’ve had the ramp for a few months, and he’s saved us," Karen said. “I can’t imagine not having the ramp now. It’s the only way he gets in and out." The simple structure made a big difference. It spared the family from lifting their dog several times a day and gave Tashi the independence to move freely once again. Kramer, who had dozens of dogs on his route, still counted Tashi among his favorites. “I’ve got about 30 or 40 that enthusiastically greet me,” he said. “Then I’ve got three or four that enthusiastically want to eat me.”

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Kramer and Tashi’s bond remained strong. The mailman continued stopping by and even attended Tashi’s 14th birthday party. “It’s amazing," Karen commented on their bond. "Jeff will come knock on the door, and Tashi will get up off his bed and walk out to greet him,” she said. Kramer didn’t speak much about what he did, but the gesture spoke for itself. Karen further expressed her gratitude toward Kramer for building a ramp for Tashi, especially as a support during his old age. “It’s a blessing. Every day is a gift," she added.