2 days ago
Tiki the Dog Finds a New Home! Once-Timid Rescue Ready to 'Settle in' with New Family After Going Viral (Exclusive)
Isabel Klee came across Tiki through a call from a friend at Muddy Paws Rescue
She fostered the dog, and shared his story on social media, where it went viral
Recently, she shared how Tiki has officially been adopted by new ownersTiki the dog has found his new home!
Tiki's new owners, Vince and Aubrie, first came across the dog's story on Isabel Klee's Instagram — and fell in love from day one. At the time, neither of them were on TikTok, so they had no idea just how many people had been rooting for the pup behind the scenes.
"I had a sense of what to expect, and I'm grateful Isabel shared so much," Aubrie tells PEOPLE exclusively. "We knew Tiki would need more care and patience than our other dogs, but that only makes each step forward feel even more rewarding."
"We've been dog owners for 10 years, and our first pup, Meyer, was also a rescue with his own set of challenges," Vince adds. "Tiki reminds us of that experience, but Isabel has been incredible; always available to offer guidance or reassurance as we help Tiki adjust."
Klee, 25, originally came across Tiki through a call from a friend at Muddy Paws Rescue. The ASPCA had just pulled several dogs from a neglect case and was urgently seeking fosters.
A longtime foster dog mom herself, the Brooklyn, N.Y., local took him in and began documenting his progress on social media. His story quickly resonated, amassing millions of views — even catching the attention of Kyle Kelce.
"Tiki taught me patience in a way I had never experienced before," Klee tells PEOPLE exclusively. "It took me 13 days to even touch this dog, and it took everything in me to respect his boundaries and go at his pace. My reward for being patient was his unwavering love and devotion, and all I had to do was listen to his cues."
For Klee, she says the journey was deeply personal and life-changing. So it was no surprise that emotions ran high the day Vince and Aubrie arrived to take Tiki home.
Leading up to his adoption day, she spent time cuddling with Tiki, staying as close as she could. The day before his adoption she even took Tiki on his very first walk around the block, and for her that was the final piece of the puzzle. Seeing him explore Brooklyn confidently was the sign she needed that he was ready for his next adventure.
"Tiki was so confident during the handoff — more so than I'd ever seen him with strangers," she adds. "He let his new mom and dad pet him, played fetch, and even did his signature 'rubbies' on the carpet, which he's never done around people he doesn't know. His confidence and comfortability with them made me feel so at ease about his transition.""I couldn't stop crying, and Tiki just sat calmly in my lap and comforted me," Klee tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I felt like it was his way of assuring me that my job with him was done, and that he would be okay."
Since bringing Tiki home, Vince and Aubrie say the adjustment has been slow but steady. Like many rescue dogs in unfamiliar surroundings, Tiki needed time to feel safe.
On his first day, he slept under their bed and showed no interest in food that morning. But by dinnertime, he finished his full meal — a moment that felt like a major victory for his new family.
'We've made sure to give him plenty of space and let him settle at his own pace," Vince says. "From day one, he decided our bed was his safe zone — he spent the whole first day underneath it. We eventually set up a pen connected to the front of the bed so he'd have a safe, cozy space outside of just under the bed. Whenever he feels overwhelmed, that's where he goes to decompress.'
'A big win for me has been watching him eat, drink and go to the bathroom regularly,' Aubrie adds. "Given his history, we weren't sure how long it would take for him to feel comfortable doing those things. Watching him eat his first dinner and hearing him drink water was such a relief. With rescue dogs, the smallest milestones are the biggest victories.'
Looking ahead, Vince and Aubrie say they don't have expectations for Tiki — just hopes. They want to see him truly thrive for the first time: running around the yard, going on walks and enjoying the company of the many dogs who come through their home.
"We just want him to keep feeling safe, building confidence and exploring the world around him," Aubrie says. "As he settles in, we know he'll show us who he truly is."
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
At first, the couple wasn't sure whether they would continue sharing Tiki's journey online. They both work full-time from home and don't post much on social media. But they quickly realized how invested the Internet has become in his story.
"The support he's received has been incredible," Vince says. "People love an underdog story … and his is the ultimate. We're happy to keep sharing it. Eventually, we'd love to use his platform to raise awareness for animal rescue and rehabilitation — continuing the amazing work Isabel has started."
"Like everyone else, we looked forward to Tiki updates from Isabel," Aubrie adds. "He gave people hope during hard times, and now we get to carry that torch. Tiki's story shows that with love and patience, even the most fearful dogs can thrive. We'll absolutely be sharing glimpses of his life, because his story can help other dogs and humans alike."
Although the transition went smoothly, Klee recently took to TikTok to share how she's faced some criticism for parting ways with Tiki too quickly, which has upset her. In the video, she clarifies some people's concerns and her own hopes for Tiki moving forward.
"Fostering Tiki changed everything," Klee says. "He changed my life, he changed the lives of so many other rescue dogs, and I think he changed the world in some small way. I hope he's taught people to be kinder and more patient."
"I LOVE his new parents and love that they have two older, confident dogs who will help Tiki feel more comfortable. I truly cherish staying in touch with my previous fosters — I get a new photo from one of them almost daily!" she adds.
To keep up with Tiki's journey, follow @tikiplustwo on TikTok and Instagram.
Read the original article on People
