Love, Loyalty, and Second Chances

Some people rescue animals, and others completely reshape the way the world sees them.

Lisa Mattuchio, founder of Eddie's Ranch Rescue, is one of those people. Through her nonprofit sanctuary and viral social media platform, she has become a powerful voice for senior and disabled animals often overlooked by shelters and adopters alike.

Millions first discovered Mattuchio through "Eddie on Wheels," the grumpy but lovable disabled Yorkie whose hilarious morning videos captured hearts across social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. But behind the viral fame was something far more meaningful: a woman quietly dedicating her life to animals who needed compassion the most.

Today, Mattuchio runs Eddie's Ranch, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit sanctuary focused on caring for senior and disabled dogs, many of whom live with her permanently. In a candid conversation with The Local Press, she opened up about grief, rescue work, burnout, spirituality, and the tiny dog who changed her life forever.

LIFE WITH EDDIE

Mattuchio still smiles when she talks about Eddie.

"I adopted a little disabled Yorkie named Eddie," she said. "He hated getting up in the morning, which made him incredibly relatable." During the pandemic lockdowns, Mattuchio uploaded a video of Eddie grumpily refusing to start his day. A friend encouraged her to post it on TikTok. She had no idea the little dog would soon become an internet sensation. Eddie exploded online. What started as funny videos quickly evolved into something much deeper. To date, she has millions of people interacting with her videos. Eddie helped change public perceptions about disabled and senior dogs. "He changed the way people looked at adoption," Mattuchio explained. "People saw that disabled dogs can still have joy, humor, personality, and amazing lives."

Eddie suffered from severe knee problems and eventually required wheels to move comfortably. Before finding his forever home with Mattuchio, he had already lived in multiple homes and endured difficult circumstances.

Despite his challenges, Eddie became the center of Mattuchio's world. "I built my life around him," she said. "I would only take jobs where dogs were allowed because Eddie came everywhere with me."

When Eddie later passed away from complications related to pneumonia, Mattuchio honored his legacy by creating a rescue in his name.

EDDIE'S RANCH: A SANCTUARY FOR THE FORGOTTEN

Today, Eddie's Ranch functions as far more than a traditional rescue. It is a sanctuary for animals that many others are unable or unwilling to care for. The nonprofit focuses on senior, disabled, medically fragile, and special-needs animals, many of whom remain with Mattuchio permanently.

Some arrive elderly and abandoned. Others are incontinent, paralyzed, blind, or suffering from severe medical conditions. Some spend only their final months there before peacefully crossing the rainbow bridge. Mattuchio ensures every animal experiences dignity, warmth, and love. "They watch TV, lie on my couch, and sleep in warm beds," she said. "They don't spend the end of their lives in cages."

Mattuchio currently cares for 14 rescue animals, including dogs, cats, and even a ferret. That number can grow on a given day. While volunteers assist when possible, much of the daily care falls on her shoulders.

The work is physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and financially overwhelming. According to Mattuchio, veterinary bills alone reached nearly $68,000 in a single year. In addition to medical costs, the sanctuary must cover food, medications, diapers, surgeries, MRIs, bedding, and custom wheelchairs for disabled dogs. Some mobility carts cost between $400 and $1,000 each. Food expenses alone can range between $1,000 and $2,000 per month.

Eddie's Ranch relies heavily on donations, grants, and community support to continue operating. Despite the challenges, Mattuchio remains deeply committed to the animals in her care.

LARRY ROMANO JOINS THE CONVERSATION

Actor, writer, director, and producer Larry Romano, best known for his role as Richie on The King of Queens, has also become an outspoken advocate for animal welfare and reform of the rescue system.

A lifelong dog lover, Romano has personally rescued and cared for multiple German shepherds over the years. His advocacy focuses on promoting adoption, reducing irresponsible breeding, and improving protections for shelter animals. During a conversation with Mattuchio, the discussion expanded beyond rescue work and into larger questions about breeding laws, euthanasia, and the growing shelter crisis in America.

"We can't rescue all these dogs," Romano said. "The problem starts with irresponsible breeding." Romano discussed his advocacy initiative, Animal Love Laws, a petition aimed at strengthening breeding regulations in the United States and modeling them more closely after Germany's stricter animal protection laws.

According to Romano, profit-driven breeding operations continue flooding shelters with animals that eventually face euthanasia. "These animals end up in shelters where they're getting murdered," he said. "And we're paying for it with tax dollars."

Mattuchio agreed, explaining that many animals in her rescue had originally come from breeders before being surrendered due to costly medical issues or behavioral challenges. "I only promote rescue and not breeding," she said. "There are plenty of dogs that need homes already."

One of the most emotional moments of the conversation came when Mattuchio addressed disabled pets and the loss of mobility. "Having a dog lose mobility is not a reason to say goodbye," she said. "You put your dog in wheels, and they will fly."

A MISSION BUILT ON COMPASSION

Despite the emotional weight of rescue work, both Mattuchio and Romano believe meaningful change begins with compassion, education, and responsibility. Whether through adoption, fostering, volunteering, donations, or advocacy, they hope more people will come to see rescue animals not as broken but as deserving of love, dignity, and second chances.

Toward the end of the conversation, Romano summarized the philosophy driving his activism:

"Everybody's entitled to make a living," he said, "just not off another living creature."

For both advocates, animal rescue is about far more than saving pets. It is about changing the way society values life itself.

Eddie's Ranch offers adoptions to individuals and families living in New England, New York, and New Jersey.

To learn more about Eddie on Wheels, visit https://eddieonwheels.com/. Visit larryromano.com and sign the petition at www.larryanimals.com.

Photos Provided By: Lisa Mattuchio & Larry Romano