Their frail 17-year-old dog had trouble using the stairs — so her handy dad came up with a clever DIY solution

An old man won millions of hearts with his compassion for his frail senior dog, who struggled to climb the stairs. The dog owner, Kerry, who goes by @kerry.gabriele on TikTok, showcased the clever hack her handy dad built himself to help their then-17-year-old pet enjoy the outdoors. Worried about their old pet, the family revamped their balcony to accommodate her special needs. The post brought in about 16 million views and won 2.2 million hearts on the internet. 

Kerry filmed her dad gently leading their senior dog into a wooden box frame before revealing that it was a functioning elevator DIY-ed by her skilful father. “My dad built an elevator for our 17-year-old dog who has trouble using stairs,” an overlay note read. Meanwhile, the creator’s dad secured the pet in a four-door detachable enclosure. He tapped a switch for the elevator to do its magic and offer the senior dog a lift to the ground level. Though it was not a high-tech innovation, it seemed to do the work. The father then quickly climbed down the stairs to open the doggie elevator and let her out. 

The dog seemingly enjoyed the ride without the painful struggle. She adorably walked out of the elevator as the family cheered her on. “When you freak out about your senior dog not being able to walk down the stairs, so your handy dad builds a doggie elevator,” the post’s caption teased. The comments section was filled with admiration for the dad’s effort to make their pup’s golden years easier. “Dads swear they don’t want a dog, then go and do things like this for them,” said @a1smejj, and @thesoapshark noted, “Proof that great humans do exist. He even lined it with carpet.” “All that we do for our best friends,” wrote @lorrainefountain9.

Dogs losing their physical agility with age is inevitable, just like humans. As dogs grow older, their muscle strength and flexibility decrease, often giving way to illnesses like arthritis, according to Pets4Homes. The physical changes are painful for the pups and pose difficulty in their everyday lives. It is advised that pet owners pay close attention to their dog’s behavior on stairs and offer alternatives to reduce stiffness and discomfort. While building a DIY elevator may not be everyone’s cup of tea, carpet runners and non-slip mats on stairs can be used to improve traction for the dogs. “Responsible ownership means recognising your dog's limitations and adapting your home environment to their needs,” the report stated. 

Unfortunately, Kerry lost her beloved pet, Sadie, one and a half years after the viral clip was shared. In a different post, she penned a eulogy for the pup. She shared a compilation of several clips that showcased Sadie’s adorable personality. Sadie passed away at 18.5 years. 

You can follow @kerry.gabriele on TikTok for more videos.