Fashion Influencer Dog Tika the Iggy Dead at 14 After Surgery

Dog influencer Tika the Iggy has died at the age of 14, her owners announced.

“Tika, I really thought you were going to live forever. I thought we had more time, but there are things we cannot control. Our hearts are shattered,” owner Thomas Shapiro wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, November 4. “We had recently found out that you had two tumors in your liver. It was hard to believe, because you were still so full of life, still jumping up, running, doing everything as usual. But it was determined that those tumors would quickly grow and take a toll on your tiny body, so we followed the advice of all of your amazing vets and went ahead with surgery to remove them.”

After the surgery went well and the tumors were successfully removed, Tika was able to return home.

Two days later, Shapiro said “something had changed” and he noticed that his dog “looked so tired, not quite yourself, yet peaceful.”

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“At first, the vets believed it was the effect of the pain killers, but we soon found out that it was your body that was slowly giving up, and we were told that there wasn’t anything we could have done that day to prevent it from happening,” Shapiro wrote. “It is sadly a risk that comes with surgery on senior dogs.”

Shapiro, who is based in Montreal, recalled how Tika spent her final days surrounded by her owners.

Now that Tika has passed away, Shapiro said he feels “numb” but is still trying to find moments of gratitude.

“We wish you were still here. You were supposed to prance through your golden years,” he wrote. “We just hope you know how deeply you were loved, Tika. By us, but also by so many others who came to know you. You truly loved meeting new friends, and you were larger than life. Rest peacefully, our sweet, sweet Tika. We will never, ever forget you.”

Soon after sharing the news about Tika’s death, many other dog influencer accounts expressed condolences to Shapiro and his family.

“Oh my goodness. We are so beyond sorry. Crying tears with you,” Doug the Pug’s official account wrote in the comments section. “Tika was beyond special and will never be forgotten. We will always remember dancing to Dolly Parton together, and it was such an honor to meet such a special girl. We are here for you guys 💔.”

Maxine the Fluffy Corgi’s account added, “Sending all our love to you and Louis and the kids, Tommy. We’re here for you. Rest in Peace to a true queen. We’ll miss you forever Tika. You were a force.”

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Tika was a favorite online, with 1.6 million followers on her Instagram page alone. Vogue once called the Italian greyhound “a new fashion it girl,” while The Dogist praised the animal as “The Anna Wintour of Dogs.”

During her life, Tika rubbed paws with celebrities like Lizzo and Drew Barrymore. She made a memorable appearance on The View and even made a cameo in the Netflix show Geek Girl.

“To all of Tika’s friends, please be gentle in the comments section. We want to be transparent because we know how much you all loved Tika, but we are extremely hurt by our loss,” Shapiro wrote. “We ask for your kindness and compassion in these difficult times. Thank you, and as my sweet old lady Tika would say, bisous.”