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At 9 years old, a lovable and mischievous dog named Tiki made it clear he wasn’t meant to be alone. His adventure began on July 4 near Ann Arbor, Michigan, when he was found wandering the roadside without an owner. Although he had a microchip, the information didn’t lead to anyone, so rescuers brought him to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
From the moment he arrived, Tiki charmed everyone with his joyful spirit. “He arrived with a wagging tail and was more than happy to be petted and loved on by staff and volunteers — and did not want to be left alone,” said Wendy Welch, the shelter’s director of marketing and communications, in an interview with The Dodo.
Tiki the Escape Artist
Since the shelter was full, Tiki was placed temporarily in a crate in an administrative office. That’s when staff discovered just how clever and determined he was. “He broke out of his crate, opened the door of the room the crate was in, toured the shelter for a bit, then went out our front doors and right into the arms of one of our amazing veterinarians, who was coming in at 6 a.m.,” Welch recalled.
At first, they assumed it was a fluke. But Tiki had more surprises in store.
On a second occasion, he managed to unlock the crate and the office door again. He then navigated through a maze of hallways to reach the front of the building. Security footage later showed the full extent of his journey.
“It’s not obvious where the front doors are,” Welch explained. “Tiki had to wind through several hallways and doorways to find the front door, which is amazing. And, from the video, it looks like he just knew that stepping in front of our automated front doors (locked from the outside, obviously) would make them open from the inside, which is also amazing.”
A Determined Pup on a Mission
After his escape, Tiki casually walked over to the Matthei Botanical Gardens nearby. Fortunately, the staff there recognized him and returned him safely. “He’s smart and determined to be with people!” Welch said, impressed by his willpower.
Tiki’s longing to be near people was strong, so much so that his first adoption didn’t last. His severe separation anxiety proved too much for the family, but the shelter team didn’t give up.
The Perfect Ending for a Persistent Pup
A few months later, Tiki was adopted again. This time, it was the right fit.
“A few months later, [he was] adopted again, and it looks like it’s a forever love,” the Humane Society shared in a joyful update. Tiki’s unyielding desire to find companionship had finally led him to the home he was always meant to have. 🐾 Keep scrolling to see Tiki’s great escape 🐾
