Artist David Sequeira, of Hughes, has a venerable little dog, Sam, who is more than 13-years-old.

''He's my best buddy ever since I got him from an animal shelter 11 years ago,'' Sequeira explains. ''He's developed a limp and can't get up on to my bed by himself. Yes, I know, he's very spoilt. He sits on the couch and sleeps on the bed. I even cook for him! What can I say?

''Last Thursday I called Bunnings' Fyshwick store and asked if there was such a thing as a small set of steps that I could buy to enable Sam to climb up on to the bed.

''I spoke to a man, plainly a dog lover, who said that no, there wasn't anything in stock that was suitable but that if I came in the next day and asked for him he'd see if something could be worked out for Sam.''

Of course, for Sam's sake, he was prepared to have a go, but as the world's worst handyman he had visions of spending a week making shonky steps that would fall apart (perhaps even while Sam was climbing them).

He had visions of Sam up to his ankles in glue.

So he, Sequeira, showed up at Bunnings the next day in great trepidation only to find that ''Some staff members had actually made me a small set of steps for Sam. They were even carpeted! I offered to pay but they wouldn't take anything. It was so moving. I can't explain how someone would be so kind and compassionate. Such a random act of kindness.''

Sequeira reported yesterday that the steps are ''Just the right size for Sam'' and that Sam now ascends, with ease, to an emeritus dog's rightful place, on his owner's bed.

Bunnings at Fyshwick was being modest, shy and coy yesterday and didn't want any of its participants in this noble project named.