Laurie Zaleski and Tucker (photos from Funny Farm Rescue Facebook page) L C
Mays Landing's animal rescue is mourning a legend.
Tucker, the Funny Farm Rescue's beloved German shepherd who defied the odds as a pup, has passed away.
"We are so sad and heartbroken to announce the passing of Tucker today," the animal rescue announced in a Facebook post Tuesday night.
"We normally do not post sadness or death as there is so much of that in the world already," the post continued. "However, everyone who knows the Funny Farm Rescue, knows Tucker. We did all we could to give him the best life and in return, he gave us all the best lives ever!"
Tucker was brought to Funny Farm founder Laurie Zaleski as a puppy, diagnosed with megaesophagus, a condition where his esophagus is too large for his body.
Many vets thought he would live only six months. He made it 7 years.
He would sit in a special chair to eat, with his food blended into a doggy milkshake.
Mike and Cindy Lewis saved his life as a puppy staying up all night, spoon-feeding him, the rescue wrote in a throwback post. The couple remained an important part of his life.
"They gave us the best gift we could have ever received, Tucker,” Zaleski would say.
Tucker was consider "Laurie's Shadow," as he walked with her everywhere at the farm, becoming a big part of her weekly shows from the animal sanctuary the pup and his human mom called home.
"There is simply no animal or human in the world that Laurie is closer to than Tucker," read a post in May, when Tucker began to falter. "The love they have for each other is indescribable. Anywhere she goes, he goes."
Tucker had aspiration phenomena, the most dangerous thing that could happen to a dog with his condition, the post explained.
It was Zaleski who now shadowed Tucker, remaining by his side as he went through surgery and treatments.
"This is how Laurie sleeps at the Funny Farm," a June 11 post informed followers. "Tucker has his own oxygen machine and oxygen tent."
She spent three weeks with him at the hospital. Then hours waiting as he underwent surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.
On June 21, there was amazing news.
"TUCKER IS COMING HOME!!!" the post read in all caps.
"It is one of the happiest days in the history of the Funny Farm Rescue," the post read.
July began with more good news, as he began to gain weight and was walking
"Tucker had a really good day," a post read on the Fourth of July. "He’s literally running around the farm and so happy to see his new little piggy sister Skittles! The dog that once needed help standing up, now jumps, plays and rolls upside down just so you can pet his tummy! In every way, Tucker the happiest miracle you ever saw!"
But it seems it was a last rally to leave behind a few more wonderful memories.
"Thank you all for loving this amazing boy," the goodbye post read. "We felt all of your love and prayers and they made a real difference. Tucker lived his life to make others happy and words cannot describe just how much happiness he brought to us, especially to Laurie who weaved her heart into his and he did the same with her. That love will last eternally."
