Tiki’s Transformation: From Fearful to Famous

Sound asleep, Tiki sprawled across Aubrie’s lap and the cushion beside her. It was a warm summer day on the poolside patio at Tiki’s new home. They relax here often; it is quiet, peaceful and feels far away from the commotion of the outside world.

Less than two months had passed since Aubrie and Vince welcomed Tiki into their family, which includes two other dogs named Meyer and Gaia. “The pack,” as they refer to themselves, is the perfect match for little Tiki, whose tough start in life made him extremely fearful and apprehensive of people and new environments.

Tiki’s eyes popped open at the sound of a bag crinkling in the kitchen nearby. He glanced up at Aubrie with his “Care Bear stare” before leaping off her lap and strutting across the patio toward the sound of food. With a swift and confident hop, Tiki dove through the doggy door and out of sight. This was his home, and he knew it.

Earlier this year, the ASPCA assisted with the surrender of several Chihuahua-mixes, including 5-year-old Tiki, from an overwhelmed pet owner in New York City. Upon arrival at the ASPCA, Tiki and his housemates received veterinary care and behavioral assessments to determine what they would need to be happy, healthy and comfortable moving forward.

Tiki was especially fearful and had a condition called “cherry eye” in both eyes. This occurs when a tear-producing gland within the eye pops out from its normal position. The swollen mass resembles a cherry in the corner of the dog’s eye. ASPCA veterinarians surgically corrected Tiki’s condition and shaved the area around the surgical site to lower the risk of infection and improve visibility during surgery. In Tiki’s case, shaving the fur around his eyes gave him a temporary and endearing Batman-like mask, which would symbolize his bravery in the months to come.

Photo Credit: Alexandra Lloyd

While fearful Tiki made progress at the ASPCA, we recognized that he would benefit from placement in a foster home. We connected with our friends and partners at Muddy Paws Rescue, who placed Tiki with an experienced foster caregiver, Isabel Klee.

“The ASPCA’s partnership with Muddy Paws is a testament to what we can accomplish for animals when working together,” said Katherine Good, ASPCA senior manager of placement partnerships. “Muddy Paws has a robust foster program with experienced foster homes. They are no strangers to dogs with needs like Tiki’s and have been successful at finding them wonderful homes.”

Tiki was still withdrawn and apprehensive when he arrived at Isabel’s home. He opted to stay in an open crate, where he felt safe, and avoided contact with Isabel. Tiki did, however, accept her offerings of cheese — she found the key to his heart.

Two days in, Tiki allowed Isabel to pet him. Several days later, Tiki felt brave enough to let Isabel hold him, and, soon after, he hopped onto her lap for the first time. Isabel’s slow and patient approach was paying off, and he was transforming in front of her eyes. When Tiki’s big adoption day arrived about a month later, he was regularly playing with squeaky toys and relaxing on Isabel’s lap. Her love and patience — and support from social media-users around the world — was exactly what Tiki needed.

The page turned to a new chapter when Tiki was adopted by Aubrie and Vince. Aubrie first learned about Tiki on Instagram, where she followed Isabel. She immediately fell in love with his sweet eyes, Batman mask and dramatic overbite. “I was sending [posts] to Vince, saying, ‘I think this dog is meant to be in our home.’” Aubrie and Vince submitted their adoption application to Muddy Paws and, sure enough, it was meant to be.

Tiki was uneasy at first and spent much of his time hiding beneath their bed. Understanding and respecting Tiki’s space, Aubrie and Vince placed a wide pen around the bed so Tiki could come and go from underneath as he wished while being safely separated from the other dogs and the larger spaces beyond. Aubrie and Vince were patient, adapted to Tiki’s needs and kept his world small until he and the other dogs appeared comfortable enough to expand it. Like Isabel, Aubrie won Tiki’s heart one piece of cheese at a time.

“When we first brought him home,” Aubrie said, “I kept returning to Isabel's videos, watching them over and over for reassurance and to make sure we were doing things that he would be comfortable with.”

Tiki came to trust this new environment a little faster than others. Perhaps the other dogs showed him the way. “Tiki is incredibly smart and observant,” Aubrie said. “All day long, he watches our other dogs and us with the dogs, and he picks up on little things.”

Meyer, a dark-colored dog about Tiki’s height with graying brows and a wise gaze, often visited Tiki’s pen to check out his new housemate. Gaia, a regal, wolf-like dog who glides from room to room, did too. As the days passed, Tiki increasingly greeted Meyer and Gaia through the pen and spent more time on top of the bed than beneath it. Aubrie and Vince continued rewarding Tiki with cheese and love, and the barriers of his pen soon came down.

In the safety of his new home, Tiki’s confidence blossomed. Despite his size, Tiki found his big bark, earning him the nickname “Chief Barker.” Seemingly at random, Tiki will spring from his seat beside Aubrie and run into the backyard barking from the depths of his belly, glancing around as though he’s not sure what he is barking at. The other dogs quickly flank him, confused but ready to support him nonetheless. When the unidentified threat passes, the Chief Barker trots back to his favorite place — beside Aubrie.

Aubrie and Vince knew that adopting Tiki would change their lives, as any adoption does, but they never anticipated the overwhelming support they received on social media or how it would enable them to give back to other shelter animals.

“It was a little overwhelming in the beginning because we didn't truly fathom how famous he was,” they said. “We weren't on TikTok, and he had a huge following on TikTok.”

They thought, as with Isabel’s past fosters, the attention would shift to the next foster dog, but Tiki’s fans began messaging them for updates shortly after his adoption. They created their first TikTok account, @tikiplustwo, expecting to post occasionally for those wanting to continue following their journey.

“Within 24 hours, it was bananas,” Aubrie said. “The first video we posted was of his first day with us, and the comments flooded in. It was unbelievable just how many people loved him and were rooting for him. This is such a positive piece of the world, and we're so lucky we get to be a part of it.”

Aubrie and Vince are leaning into Tiki’s unexpected popularity to help as many animals as possible. Recognizing that animal shelters across the country are full and need help from their communities, Aubrie and Vince are collaborating with shelters to channel support — resources, donations, volunteers, adopters and more — that boost shelter programs and save more lives.

“We want to point people to where help is desperately needed,” Aubrie said. “That includes encouraging more people to foster, open their homes to a dog, cat or other animal, fulfill wish lists for rescues and shelters or donate not just money, but time. There are so many ways people can give back.”

In only a matter of months, their impact has been immeasurable. Tiki’s social media has inspired people from all over the country — and perhaps the world — to support their local animal shelters and rescue groups.

“The coolest thing has been hearing people say, ‘I went out and adopted my own Tiki,’ or ‘I saw Isabel fostering Tiki, and that inspired me to foster,’” Aubrie said. People comment with pictures of their rescues and when they were adopted, and this is everything we wanted it to be.”

Tiki’s fosters and adopters transformed his life and the lives of countless other pets. Like Isabel, Aubrie and Vince, when you foster or adopt an animal, you will positively impact other animals. It’s a ripple: Help one, and you will help many. That’s The Rescue Effect.

If Tiki and his pack have inspired you to help animals, join The Rescue Effect and use our Shelter Finder to locate an animal shelter or rescue group near you. Animal shelters and rescue groups from coast to coast are full, and you can make a difference for animals and shelter workers by adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating or advocating for pets in need.

If you live near New York City and are interested in supporting Muddy Paws or adopting one of the animals in their care, please visit muddypawsrescue.org to learn more.