Ian Burke said he felt responsible to give the dog a new home.
DENTON, Texas — Every day, dozens of dogs at the City of Denton Animal Shelter wait for a new home. On Tuesday, one of them finally got his second chance — thanks to a familiar face.
Floyd, a 70-pound dog, was adopted by Ian Burke, a Denton mail carrier who had known the dog for years.
“I’m taking this guy home with me,” Burke said after finalizing the adoption. “I don’t take it lightly, [this isn’t] some random dog I’m adopting.”
Their connection goes back three years. Burke met Floyd while delivering mail to his then-owner, an elderly wheelchair-bound Vietnam veteran, he said.
“This is a dog that was loved and cherished by a former customer of mine,” Burke said, remembering the first time he met Floyd delivering mail. “He got out the door and he charged at me, right like a little puppy.”
Burke told WFAA he enjoyed stopping by their house each week.
“[Floyd’s owner] checked his mail, which I liked,” Burke said with a smile, remembering the man fondly.
But about a year and a half ago, Burke’s route changed, and he no longer saw Floyd or his owner. Then, last Saturday, the mail carrier who took over Burke’s route told him the man had passed away, and that Floyd was now at the city shelter.
Burke didn’t hesitate.
“I went down to the shelter at about 10 a.m. when they opened. I got there at 9:50 a.m. to make sure I was first in line,” he said.
And he left the shelter with Floyd.
“I kind of feel responsible to take care of him,” Burke said. “I think [his former owner] would be pleased to know his former mailman is taking good care of his dog.”
Burke hopes Floyd’s story inspires others to consider adopting.
“Probably one of the best things the postal service inadvertently issued me,” he said with a smile.