• Winner! Quick Shot Challenge: What’s the dumbest shooting myth you’ve heard?

    View thread

Maggie’s Man's Best Friend Thread

I think there will be a special place in heaven for this guy.




Oh...that brought back memories. My first Akita spent her final year as a wheelchair dog. My first attempt at making her wheelchair had problems, but Miko recognized what it was for and wanted to use it anyways. That gave her an extra year of good quality life.
 
This put a tear in my eye.

Texas Roadhouse fulfills customer's special request — his dog's last meal​

Hunter Metzger ordered his dog Iris’ final meal from Texas Roadhouse. He was blown away by the restaurant’s response.​

By Joseph Lamour | TODAY • Published May 19, 2025 • Updated on May 19, 2025 at 8:01 am​

Log in or create a free profile to save articles
BOOKMARKER

Hunter Metzger, an Ephrata, Pennsylvania resident, placed an order at his local Texas Roadhouse that has touched hearts around the world.
On April 19, Iris, the family’s eight-year-old Great Dane, was facing the last moments of her life, and they wanted to do something special for her. Little did they know they were going to receive that same grace back.
“About three weeks prior, she started having some health issues, breathing problems,” Metzger tells TODAY.com, adding that they initially thought that the nearly 120-pound pup had a respiratory infection, so she went on antibiotics. “That didn’t make anything better.”
Iris in a sweatshirt
Iris in her emo phase. (Courtesy Hunter Metzger)
Veterinarians eventually discovered that Iris had a tumor in her nose. No matter what they did, it wouldn’t respond to treatment, so Metzger made the decision to euthanize her.
“Everybody loves their pets, and if you ever have to make that tough decision, you want them to be able to go down with some semblance of dignity, you know what I mean?” Metzger says. “We want to hold on as long as possible, but it’s not always fair to the animal.”
That last day, lots of friends and family came by and gave Iris treats, pats and cuddles, and at dinnertime, Metzger decided to place an order at Texas Roadhouse for his dog’s final meal: an 8-ounce thick-cut New York strip steak, steak fries, mashed potatoes and freshly baked bread.
Iris with her steak dinner
Iris with her steak dinner. (Courtesy Hunter Metzger)
“I put in an online order, and they have a special request field, and we were all up in our feels getting ready to say goodbye to our dog,” Metzger says. He wrote, “Last meal for our dog. Please prepare with love,” and submitted the order.
That’s when Kate Weston, this Texas Roadhouse’s kitchen manager, got involved.
“My to-go team actually saw the message,” Weston tells TODAY.com, adding that they showed her knowing that she’s an animal lover with a dog of her own. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, we need to make sure that this is the best meal we’ve ever made.’”
Kate Weston's Snapchat of Hunter Metzger's order.
Kate Weston's Snapchat of Hunter Metzger's order. (Kate Weston)
A note from the Texas Roadhouse staff.
A note from the Texas Roadhouse staff. (Courtesy Hunter Metzger)
After preparing the meal, staff members wrote him a note of condolence on receipt paper, and added “Made with LOVE” on the to-go container. When Metzger picked up the order, two staff members came to the window to share their condolences in person, too.
“It just blew us away,” Metzger says. “She was just put down later that night, and the next morning, I happened to check my emails and I saw they had also refunded my meal.”
texas-roadhouse-made-with-love-box-jl-31e78f.jpg
Texas Roadhouse staff wrote "Made with LOVE" on the takeout box. (Courtesy Hunter Metzger)
Metzger posted about the experience in a private Ephrata Facebook group, and his photos were then shared far and wide.
“This kind of customer service and demonstrated compassion sets this Texas Roadhouse team a level above the rest!” Metzger wrote on his post. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
For its part, Texas Roadhouse says it believes in “treating guests like family.”



GOOD NEWSApr 24

Buford, dog who rescued 2-year-old boy lost in Arizona wilderness, is showered with gifts


petsApr 5

San Quentin inmates reunite with puppies they raised into service dogs

“While it was a simple act, we hope it brought a moment of comfort during a difficult time,” a spokesperson for the chain tells TODAY.com. “We’re proud of our team for showing such empathy and humanity, values we strive to uphold every day.”
Iris enjoying her steak dinner.
Iris enjoying her steak dinner. (Courtesy Hunter Metzger)
Metzger, who recently celebrated his birthday, decided to mark the occasion at — you guessed it — Texas Roadhouse, where he met Weston and some of the staff, and they talked about Iris. A gentle giant, she loved to try to sit on people as if she were a lap dog.
“I just hope that it shows people that a little bit of kindness can go a long way,” Weston says. “The world feels like such an ugly place right now, and showing that love and compassion can definitely help someone and make what could be a really bad day into something amazing.”
 
Listened to this episode yesterday. Onion ninjas got me. Talking about the best of dogs and what to do when it's time for them to go. The episode The Worst Episode from the No Dumb Questions podcast. Destin of Smarter Every Day youtube channel lost 2 dogs in 1 year. 2 year old (no longer absorbing oxygen in blood) and 17 year old (old age, no pain).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ichi
Really needed that laugh after reading the previous post
The GSP’s nickname is “just the tip.” She will come up to you and lay her head in your lap. Then, before you know it, all of her is in your lap. Doesn’t matter if you’re sitting on the couch or a bar stool.
 
Last edited:
Saturday had a mini reunion. Lupe (neighbors sisters dog) came to visit. Our dog Daisy is his mom and we still have his brother Hoggen. Lupe (Chip when he was a puppy) was the oldest of the litter. He is now Lupe the Pirate because he is missing his left eye. He got a grass seed in his eye.

Black and white one. Half way through labor. February 25th 2022.
20220225_041359.jpg


Required SH foot Pic.
20220225_120407.jpg


At 7 weeks.
20220417_114900.jpg

Lupe is yellow leash. Daisy is white leash and Hoggen is black dog.
20250517_125252.jpg

1747887355111.jpeg

20250517_131023.jpg
 
Saturday had a mini reunion. Lupe (neighbors sisters dog) came to visit. Our dog Daisy is his mom and we still have his brother Hoggen. Lupe (Chip when he was a puppy) was the oldest of the litter. He is now Lupe the Pirate because he is missing his left eye. He got a grass seed in his eye.

Black and white one. Half way through labor. February 25th 2022.
View attachment 8692121

Required SH foot Pic.
View attachment 8692127

At 7 weeks.
View attachment 8692120
Lupe is yellow leash. Daisy is white leash and Hoggen is black dog.
View attachment 8692122
View attachment 8692126
View attachment 8692124
Kittens are cute but there's nothing quite like a litter of mutts poopies puppies. Except perhaps baby elephants...

Gimme that milk...