Tika the Iggy, the Italian greyhound who became an internet fashion icon, has passed away at the age of 14. The news was shared by her dads, Thomas Shapiro and Louis, on Tika’s popular Instagram page, leaving a wave of grief among her 1.6 million followers.
“I really thought you were going to live forever,” Shapiro wrote. “I thought we had more time, but there are things we cannot control. Our hearts are shattered.”
Born in Montreal in 2011, Tika rose to global fame thanks to her signature couture wardrobe, reportedly more than 300 outfits, her playful, diva persona, and her status as a self-described gay icon, representing love, inclusivity, and diverse families.
From Instagram posts narrated with cutesy French-accented voiceovers to appearances on TikTok, Tika captured the hearts of fashion lovers and pet enthusiasts alike.
Her style carried her far beyond the usual pet influencer sphere. Tika attended major fashion events, including front row at New York Fashion Week and shows in Paris and Milan. She worked with luxury brands, from BOSS to Dolce & Gabbana, and wore a custom Melke outfit for its fall 2023 debut.
Vogue once called her “a new fashion It girl,” while The Dogist crowned her “the Anna Wintour of dogs.” Tika even rubbed paws with celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Lizzo and made TV appearances, including 'The Drew Barrymore Show' in 2022 and a cameo on Netflix’s 'Geek Girl.'
“Living in Montreal meant facing every kind of weather,” Tika said in an interview with Hunger Magazine. “My dads started dressing me just to keep me comfortable, but along the way we realized… I like wearing clothes and I wear them well.”
This past September, Tika retired from the runway, attending her final New York Fashion Week. In the Instagram announcement, her owners wrote, "While I still love the glam, it’s a big commitment for a little old lady.”
Tragically, Tika had recently been diagnosed with two tumors in her liver. Following advice from veterinarians, her family opted for surgery. Initially, the procedure went well, and Tika returned home without immediate complications.
“We thought we had more time,” Shapiro wrote, describing her recovery at home. “But two days later, something had changed. You looked so tired, not quite yourself, yet peaceful. 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. It is sadly a risk that comes with surgery on senior dogs.”
Tika spent her final moments surrounded by her family, enjoying her favorite foods and the comfort of home. “Rest peacefully, our sweet, sweet Tika. We will never, ever forget you,” her family wrote. The post concluded with Tika’s signature sign-off: “Thank you, and as my sweet old lady Tika would say, bisous.”
The outpouring of love for Tika came quickly from fellow pet influencers and fans. Louis also shared his own heartfelt reflections on their journey together. He recounted adopting Tika as a lost university student.
“Fifteen years ago, I was so lost. I had no idea what to do with my life. One day, I decided to take control of it. And on that same day, I decided to get a dog. I can still live the day when I met you. You had chosen me and I had chosen you," he wrote.
He credited Tika with helping him find his husband, shaping their family life, and supporting him through every milestone, from graduation to parenthood. “In the last few years, I would often catch myself thinking that a goodbye would have to come,” Louis shared. “I dreaded those thoughts, but I knew the day would come. And here we are, from a lost boy to a happily married father of two beautiful kids. And I owe it all to you.”