Bisous, Tika: Montreal’s fashionista greyhound has died

Tika the Iggy. (photo: Instagram/tiketheiggy)

Tika the Iggy, the Italian greyhound known for her style, social-media presence and signature looks, has died at home in Montreal shortly after undergoing surgery, her dads announced on her popular Instagram page.

The dog, who lived in Montreal, rose to global social-media fame thanks to her extensive wardrobe (reportedly over 300 bespoke outfits), her “diva” persona in playful posts, and her status as a self-described gay icon — due to her two dads and outspoken support of inclusivity.

She announced her retirement in September.

She had recently been diagnosed with two tumours in her liver. After consulting with veterinarians, her family opted to remove the growths. The procedure was initially successful — the tumours were removed, and Tika was discharged without immediate complications, her dads said.

“We thought we had more time,” they wrote, describing how, at home, Tika was given her favourite food and seemed to be recovering well.

But two days later, her condition changed, and she became unusually tired, according to her owners. Veterinary staff concluded it was her senior body giving up, a recognized risk following surgery in older dogs.

Tika was 14.

She spent her final moments at home, surrounded by her family.

The announcement urged her many fans for “kindness and compassion” in their comments, noting the family’s “huge loss.”

“Thank you, and as my sweet old lady Tika would say, bisous,” which is French for kisses, the post concluded.

Tika reached far beyond usual pet-influencer levels. Though she was based in Montreal, she built a follower base of more than 1.6 million on platforms like Instagram.

She attended major fashion events, including front row at New York Fashion Week, as well as shows in Paris and Milan. She collaborated with luxury brands, wearing custom Melke for its fall 2023 debut.

Tika was often seen posing with celebrities and even made television appearances, including “The Drew Barrymore Show” in June 2022.

Her rise began in part due to Montreal’s cold climate, where dressing the lean Italian greyhound for warmth evolved into full-on couture looks.

“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.”

Tika’s legacy includes a fabulous blend of fashion, fun and visibility for diverse families.

In the words of her family: “Rest peacefully, our sweet, sweet Tika. We will never, ever forget you.”