When 8-year-old Great Dane Iris faced her final day, her family wanted to send her off with a full belly and all the love in the world. So, Hunter Metzger of Ephrata, Pennsylvania turned to Iris’ favorite: steak from Texas Roadhouse.
What happened next would leave a permanent paw print on his heart.
“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 said.
In that little comment box, he wrote something simple but powerful: “Last meal for our dog. Please prepare with love.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
Kate Weston, kitchen manager at the local Texas Roadhouse, saw the note and instantly knew this order mattered.
“My to-go team actually saw the message,” she said. “They showed me knowing I’m a big animal lover. I was like, ‘Oh my god, we need to make sure that this is the best meal we’ve ever made.’”
They got to work on Iris’ feast: an 8-ounce thick-cut New York strip steak, steak fries, mashed potatoes, and warm, freshly baked bread. The kind of spread any steak-loving dog (or human) would dream about.
They packed it up with extra love, literally. A handwritten note of condolence was tucked into the bag, and the takeout box was marked with “Made with LOVE.” When Metzger pulled up to the window, two employees came out to offer their condolences in person.
“It just blew us away,” Metzger said. “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.”
It wasn’t about the refund, though, it was about how seen and supported they felt in a deeply painful moment.
“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 shared. “We want to hold on as long as possible, but it’s not always fair to the animal.”
Before her final meal, Iris spent the day surrounded by family and friends who gave her all the cuddles, treats, and love they could fit into one afternoon. She even posed for a photo with her steak dinner, big eyes, floppy ears, and that sweet, soulful face of a dog who knew she was adored.
The post Metzger shared in a local Facebook group soon went viral, and people everywhere were touched by Texas Roadhouse’s thoughtfulness.
“This kind of customer service and demonstrated compassion sets this Texas Roadhouse team a level above the rest!” Metzger wrote. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Texas Roadhouse responded with humility and heart:
“While it was a simple act, we hope it brought a moment of comfort during a difficult time,” an outback spokesperson told news outlets. “We’re proud of our team for showing such empathy and humanity, values we strive to uphold every day.”
Hunter even celebrated his next birthday at the same restaurant, where he met Weston and thanked the team in person. They shared memories of Iris, a gentle giant who still believed she was a lap dog.
“I just hope that it shows people that a little bit of kindness can go a long way,” Weston said. “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.”
From one final steak to a story that’s warmed hearts around the world. Iris is sure to be having their endless fill of food over the rainbow bridge.
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