Forty-three years ago, a logging crew made a startling discovery when they felled a massive oak tree—an astonishingly well-preserved mummified dog was trapped inside. The museum, now custodian of the section of the tree containing the entombed canine, believes the dog, later named Stucky, had run away from its owner in pursuit of an animal.
According to the museum’s account, Stucky had ascended an incredible 28 feet up the oak tree in an attempt to follow the elusive prey. Tragically, even if Stucky had barked or cried during his perilous ascent, the thickness of the tree would have muffled the sounds, rendering him unheard by the owner.
Twenty years later, loggers fortuitously discovered the mummified dog after felling the tree. A peculiar twist of fate played a role in preserving Stucky’s remains—due to an upward draft of air circulating through the hollow tree, the scent of the deceased dog was carried away. Insects and decomposing organisms were oblivious to his presence.
The chestnut oak itself played a crucial role in Stucky’s preservation. The wood contains tannin, a natural drying agent, which, combined with low moisture levels, halted microbial activity. As a result, Stucky never fully decomposed.
In 2002, Stucky was officially named, and today he stands as a unique exhibit in a tree museum in Georgia, USA. His remarkable story serves as a testament to the extraordinary circumstances that led to the preservation of a faithful companion for over four decades.