A US postman has stepped in to rescue a dog that he befriended on his daily route after the animal’s elderly owner died.

When Texas man Ian Burke adopted German Shepherd and Border Collie cross Floyd from an animal shelter earlier this month, it wasn’t the first time they had crossed paths.

The pair actually go way back, with Burke first meeting Floyd three years ago while delivering the mail to his Vietnam veteran owner.

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“He got out the door and he charged at me, right like a little puppy,” Burke told local ABC affiliate WFAA.

Burke said Floyd was “loved and cherished” by his owner and that he enjoyed stopping by the elderly man’s house every week.

However, a year-and-a-half ago Burke’s delivery route was changed, meaning the end of his weekly visits with the man and his beloved dog.

In late May, Burke received some awful news from the postman that had taken over his old route — the veteran had died and Floyd had been taken to a local animal shelter.

The postie’s next decision was an easy one. He was going to take Floyd home.

“I went down to the shelter at about 10 am when they opened. I got there at 9.50am to make sure I was first in line,” he said.

“I’m taking this guy home with me.

“I don’t take it lightly, (this isn’t) some random dog I’m adopting.”

Burke said he felt a kind of responsibility for Floyd.

“I think (his former owner) would be pleased to know his former mailman is taking good care of his dog,” he said.

“(It’s) probably one of the best things the postal service inadvertently issued me.”