Every pup has a unique skill that surprises their humans eventually. But Tiki, a senior rescue dog, decided to reveal his clever trick not just to the shelter staff, but the whole internet.
This lovable guy turned out to be quite the Houdini, and the shelter team was about to find out—thanks to their surveillance footage.
Tiki was a naturally social dog who didn’t care for spending nights alone in a crate. So he took matters into his own paws. He opened the door and quietly exited the room like it was the most natural thing in the world, on a mission to find some company…
This Older Dog Had A Secret Talent
Tiki, a nine-year-old stray found on a Michigan road, surprised everyone the moment he arrived at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Though he’d been living outdoors, he instantly showed himself to be friendly and outgoing and very much not a fan of solitude.
Because the shelter was overcrowded, Tiki spent his first few nights in a crate inside one of the offices.
Tiki, however, had other ideas.
Instead of waiting for staff to arrive in the morning, he somehow freed himself from the crate, opened the office door, wandered around the building, and eventually made his way out the main entrance.
Fortunately, a vet arriving early happened to be outside and spotted him.
Staff thought that would be the end of it, but Tiki had another escape in mind. The next night, he repeated the trick, and this time, no one was around to catch him before he left the building completely.
Tiki once again located the front door after navigating several hallways and walked straight into the nearby Mattheir Botanical Gardens.
The MBG employees returned him to the shelter, guessing he must be one of their dogs. But how he managed his escape remains a mystery.
Tiki Gets Another Shot At A Happy Life
Just two weeks after the clip of Tiki checking himself out went viral, he was adopted in Michigan. Sadly, his new owner had to return him due to Tiki’s intense separation anxiety when left alone.
“He was adopted, until separation anxiety proved challenging. We now know he needs someone who’s home a lot right now and can work through it,” the Michigan rescue stated on Facebook.
Still, the staff wasn’t discouraged. Knowing how loving and sweet Tiki was, they believed it wouldn’t be long until the right match came along.
And they were right.
Soon after, the shelter shared that Tiki had found his forever family with a newly retired man who was thrilled to welcome him into his home.
“He has been in one of our fosters for the past remaining portion of his time, and today Tiki hit the jackpot with his new freshly retired dad! We at HSHV wish Tiki the happiest of homes,” the rescue concluded.
Tiki finally found his place. And who knows… maybe his new dad will get to see more of his clever tricks—or at least witness a repeat of the great escape.