Tucker Budzyn, the Michigan golden retriever who became one of the internet’s most beloved canine stars, has died at age 8 after a sudden battle with lymphoma.

His owner, Courtney Budzyn, announced his death in a tearful social media video Saturday, saying Tucker passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 2 — only days after she revealed his cancer diagnosis.

“I thought that was the last sad video I was gonna make, but it’s not … Tucker’s gone,” Courtney said as she shared the heartbreaking news with the millions of people who had followed Tucker for years.

Tucker had been diagnosed with lymphoma and initially appeared to respond well to treatment. Courtney said he had even entered partial remission, giving the family hope that he could have much more time.

But doctors later discovered that the cancer had affected Tucker’s intestines.

According to Courtney, as treatment caused the cancer in his intestine to shrink, it left a hole that became infected. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and despite receiving antibiotics and fluids, his temperature continued to rise.

“We had to let him go,” Courtney said through tears.

A Sudden Loss After a Promising Recovery
The news came less than a week after Courtney had publicly revealed Tucker’s diagnosis on Aug. 30.

At the time, she said the 8-year-old retriever was doing well with treatment and had reached partial remission. She had hoped the treatment could give him another one to three years.

Instead, his condition changed dramatically.

Courtney said Tucker had enjoyed some of the happiest moments of his life during his final weeks. He went to the park, swam in pools, played with his son Todd and enjoyed his favorite meals while taking medication.

She also managed to take him rollerblading one final time.

“He literally saved my life,” Courtney said.

The loss was devastating for the family.

“There’s nothing in this world that I wouldn’t have done for him,” she said. “It feels like I lost a body part.”

Tucker Became an Internet Superstar
Courtney adopted Tucker in 2018 when he was just 8 weeks old and created his social media accounts around the same time.

His expressive face, playful personality and hilarious reactions quickly turned him into a viral sensation.

Videos of Tucker interacting with everyday objects — including an ice cube and a small plastic hair clip — helped propel him to online fame.

Over the years, Tucker built a following of more than 27 million people across TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X.

His popularity eventually became a full-time family business. Courtney and her husband, Mike, left their previous careers to manage Tucker and his son Todd’s growing online presence.

Tucker was more than a social media personality to his family. He became a constant presence in their lives — and, for millions of followers, a familiar source of comfort and laughter.

Millions of Fans Are Mourning
Courtney said she initially considered simply posting a photo to announce Tucker’s death.

But after years of sharing his life with followers around the world, she felt they deserved to know what happened.

“I’m so sorry, guys. I know he was yours, too,” she said.

Despite the heartbreak, Courtney said she wants to continue moving forward and healing.

“I feel like I owe it to him to move forward and to heal,” she said.

Tucker leaves behind his family, including his son Todd, and millions of fans who watched him grow from a playful puppy into one of the most recognizable dogs on the internet.

His life lasted only eight years, but his presence reached millions of people around the world — leaving behind years of laughter, memories and videos that will continue to live online.

Course: NY Post