WORCESTER—Tucker Albert, a Golden Retriever from Shrewsbury living the kind of life most humans would envy—complete with astroturf backyard, his own pool, and a social media fanbase across Worcester County—is about to add another line to his doggy résumé: TV star.
This Sunday, the beloved pup appears on America’s Funniest Videos, the long-running ABC show known for showcasing quirky, hilarious home clips. The video? A perfectly-timed shot of Tucker at the dinner table pulling a face only a mother—and apparently thousands of Facebook fans—could love.
“It’s just Tucker being Tucker,” said his owner Andrea Castinetti, a well-known real estate broker and philanthropist who also founded the Central Mass Pet Pantry, a free pet supply initiative that helps more than 200 families each month. “I must have scratched the side of his face just right and the look he gave was priceless. When I saw it, I knew my Facebook friends would appreciate it—but I never imagined it’d end up on national TV.”
Though Castinetti just got the news a few days ago, she and her “boys”—Tucker and his more reserved older brother Brody—are planning to watch the episode together with plenty of popcorn and celebratory snacks.
No red carpet? No problem.
“Tucker walks the red carpet every day in his mind,” Andrea laughed. “He might get a few extra treats Sunday night.”
With his oversized personality and a fondness for dressing up, Tucker has become something of a local celebrity. Castinetti’s social media pages—filled with daily updates on the antics of both Goldens—have gained a loyal following. “I never expected so many people to fall in love with them without even meeting them,” she said. “Tucker gets recognized in public all the time. Brody, not as much. He’s more of a behind-the-scenes guy—he prefers the pool.”
Castinetti is quick to describe their personalities: “Tucker is the wild little brother, always stealing Brody’s toys, mugging for the camera, and ready for anything. Brody, who’s a rescue, is my old soul. He has anxiety, and he’s not as into the spotlight. But both of them are my kids, and I treat them that way. Spoiled? Absolutely. But they deserve it.”
The pampered life includes not just pools and plush beds but turf-covered grounds designed specifically to discourage digging. “If I didn’t turf the yard, they’d excavate the whole neighborhood,” she joked.
But behind the laughs is a deeper mission. Castinetti’s love for animals doesn’t stop with her own. Through the Central Mass Pet Pantry, she works tirelessly to help local families keep their beloved pets during hard times. “I started the pantry after hearing too many stories of people considering surrendering their pets because they couldn’t afford food or supplies,” she said. “That broke my heart. I wanted to make sure people had somewhere to turn.”
Since launching, the pantry has seen overwhelming community support—from steady donations to offers of volunteer help from across the state. “It’s truly humanity at its best,” Andrea said.
And if Tucker does end up winning a cash prize from his AFV moment? He’s not keeping it. “Oh, he’ll be making a Chewy run—to donate to the pantry, of course,” Castinetti confirmed.
So what’s next for this dynamic dog duo?
“Every day’s an adventure over here. Maybe a TikTok account is in our future,” she said. “But really, we just want to keep spreading joy. If we can make people smile—even for a moment—then mission accomplished.”
You can follow Tucker, Brody, and all their antics on Facebook and Instagram. And don’t forget to tune into America’s Funniest Videos this Sunday to catch Tucker’s big moment—and maybe even witness the start of a new era of Golden Retriever stardom.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
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