Remembering Tika the Iggy: Tiny, Mighty, Wise

Some dogs become famous. Others become family.

Tika somehow became both.

Known to millions as Tika the Iggy, the stylish Italian Greyhound built a devoted following through her fashion-forward photos, larger-than-life personality, and unmistakable charm. But behind the viral moments, fashion campaigns, and social media success was something much more enduring: a dog who spent more than 14 years by Thomas Shapiro's side, accompanying him through nearly every major chapter of his adult life.

Following Tika's passing, Thomas shared his reflections on the tiny, mighty, wise dog who changed the course of his life with us. We are honored to share some of those memories and celebrate the remarkable legacy Tika leaves behind with you.

The Dog Behind the Fame

Like many beloved social media pets, Tika's journey began with something simple.

"I originally started posting Tika as a way to explore my love of photography," Thomas shared. "She was the perfect subject, expressive, elegant, and always a little dramatic."

What started as a creative outlet soon evolved into something much larger.

"Over time, she naturally became the centre of everything. Her personality translated so well on camera, and people connected to her in a way I never expected. What started as photos turned into storytelling, and eventually into a full world that people wanted to follow along with."

The account's growth surprised even Thomas.

"I remember going on a three-week trip in 2019, which was the longest I'd ever been away from her at the time. She had around 100,000 followers then, but after about two weeks of not posting, I started getting a flood of messages asking where she was and if she was okay. That was the moment it really clicked that people weren't just following an account, they were invested in her."

Tiny, Mighty, Wise

For those who only knew Tika through a screen, Thomas says her online personality wasn't much different from the dog he knew at home.

"I always said she was the perfect dog for cat people. She had everything you love in a dog: affection, joy, loyalty, but she was also very independent. She loved people and was incredibly friendly, but she believed just as strongly in her alone time. And if there was sunlight anywhere in the house, she would find it."

Like many memorable dogs, Tika's quirks became part of her charm.

"She ‘sang’ when she was hungry. Not really singing, more like a squeal that sounded somewhere between an old creaky door and a mosquito. It was impossible to ignore and always made me laugh."

Her days were often spent rotating between beds, following patches of sunlight, and quietly keeping tabs on her family.

"Sometimes she'd disappear completely, and I'd have to go searching, lifting blankets one by one until I found her curled up somewhere. It turned into this little daily game that always made me smile."

Growing Up Together

Perhaps what makes Tika's story resonate with so many pet parents is how closely her life was woven into Thomas's own.

The two met while he was in university and grew up together in many ways.

"I met her when I was in university, so we really grew up together. She was there through everything: the early twenties, the late nights, studying, my first job. Then all the big milestones followed. Our wedding, our first house, renovations, starting a family. She was there for both kids."

For Thomas, Tika wasn't simply part of those memories—she was a constant presence throughout them.

"When I look back, she wasn't just part of my life, she was there through every major chapter of it."

Over the years, she became much more than a pet.

"She wore so many hats that I don't think I ever thought of her as just my dog. She was my coworker, my muse, my travel companion, and at times my therapist."

More Than an Influencer

While Tika's style and personality drew people in, the community that formed around her became something far more meaningful.

"It became a really unique mix of people. Of course, there are Italian Greyhound owners and dog lovers, but it grew far beyond that into fashion lovers and people who were just looking for a bit of joy in their day."

Over the years, Thomas heard countless stories from followers whose lives had been touched by Tika in unexpected ways.

One memory, in particular, has stayed with him.

"One that really stayed with me is hearing from parents who said their children felt comfortable coming out to them because they saw how much love and acceptance there was in our home. Knowing that Tika, in some small way, helped create a sense of safety for people is something I'll always carry with me."

Tika also helped introduce countless people to the Italian Greyhound breed.

"The book tour was also incredibly meaningful. We met thousands of people, and so many shared stories about discovering Italian Greyhounds through Tika. She really became a kind of ambassador for the breed, which is something I'm very proud of."

The Little Things We Remember

When asked what he misses most, Thomas didn't mention the big milestones or public achievements.

Instead, he talked about the small things.

"The pitter-patter of her feet. She'd 'sneak' into a room to spy on us, and the second we noticed her, she'd run off down the hall or up the stairs to her bed. She wanted to be close, but only if we didn't make it obvious. She was a funny lady."

And he finds himself returning often to the quiet moments they shared at the end of each day.

"The nights before bed. That was when she wanted to play the most. She was never a particularly cuddly dog, but in her last couple of years, she became much more affectionate at bedtime. Those quiet moments at the end of the day are the ones I find myself going back to the most."

A Life Well Loved

When reflecting on Tika's life, Thomas returns to a simple truth familiar to many pet parents.

"One thing I can say with confidence is that I never took our time together for granted."

It's a sentiment that echoes throughout every memory he shared.

And if there's one piece of advice he hopes other grieving pet parents will take with them, it's this:

"Write down the small details. Things you might not think matter in the moment will come back as really vivid memories later, and it's nice to have them captured somewhere once your head is a bit clearer."

For millions of followers, Tika was a fashion icon, a social media star, and an ambassador for Italian Greyhounds. For Thomas, she was something even more important: a constant companion through 14 remarkable years.

Tiny, mighty, wise—and clearly, deeply loved.