A Pittsburgh UPS driver, John Keffer, formed a special friendship with a dog on his delivery route, and recently learned just how much of an impact that bond had made on both of them.
It all started when John noticed some of his fellow drivers handing out dog treats during their deliveries. He loved the idea and decided to follow suit, making it a part of his daily routine.
What began as a small sandwich bag of treats quickly grew to a quart-sized bag, with John regularly handing out snacks to the furry friends he encountered on his route.
One of those dogs was a beloved pooch named Rosie, who always looked forward to John’s visits. Rosie would eagerly wait for him to arrive, knowing that a treat was coming her way.
Over time, she became one of the many pets who brought a little extra joy to John’s day.
However, one day, things were different. When John arrived at Rosie’s home, she wasn’t there to greet him.
Instead, he found a small box of Milk-Bone treats and a heartfelt note. Inside the note was the heartbreaking news that Rosie, a 10-year-old dog, had recently passed away after a battle with cancer.
The letter read:
“Thank you for all the years of deliveries that came with a milk bone for our dog Rosie. She knew she would get a treat each time you came. Sadly, Rosie, who was 10 years old, had to be put down due to cancer… Please take this gift and continue making dogs happy when you deliver packages.”
John was deeply moved by the message. The loss of Rosie hit him hard, as the connection he had formed with the dog over the years had grown into something truly special.
Delivering packages to Rosie had become a routine, but more importantly, it was a part of the bond they had shared.
“When I received the box of Milk-Bones and the letter, I was heartbroken. It hit me hard,” John explained.
“When I left the delivery location, I took part of my break to cry. When you deliver to someone once a week or every day, you get used to their ‘fur babies.’ Even though you may only see them for a moment, it doesn’t mean they don’t leave their paw prints on your heart.”
Though Rosie was gone, her memory lived on through John and the treats he continued to hand out to other dogs on his route.
The simple act of offering a dog a treat had created lasting connections, and John remained committed to spreading a little happiness to every dog he met.
Watch the touching video below to see John open Rosie’s farewell letter and share his emotional reaction to losing a dog he had come to care for so much.