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Most shelter dogs dream of freedom and the day they’ll finally get out of the shelter — and some take things into their own hands by trying to make a break for it.
That was the case for Tiki, a senior dog called an “escape artist” after sneaking out of his kennel twice. Now, this Houdini dog is looking for a new home after a recent adoption fell through.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, recently held an “Empty the Shelters” adoption event. But one of their dogs, a 10-year-old senior named Tiki, took that theme to heart by escaping from the shelter — twice.
The shelter was so full that Tiki was housed in a crate in the staff office. But staff were surprised when Tiki not only escaped his crate, but the whole building.
“He was put in his crate in the office when staff left for the evening. Somehow, he got out of the crate, opened the office door, then walked out our front doors,” humane society CEO Tanya Hilgendorf told MLive.
They were even more surprised when the furry escape artist managed to get out a second time, even after taking extra precautions to keep him in place. This escape was captured on security video:
Tiki was discovered by good samaritans at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and returned to the shelter, the humane society wrote on YouTube.
Tiki’s exploits made the news and people were impressed by his escape artist skills. But for the staff, the escape attempts also showed how badly Tiki needed a home of his own.
“Tiki’s great escapes weren’t just for show. They highlight his deep need for 24/7 human companionship,” Humane Society of Huron Valley wrote. “This nearly 10-year-old gentleman is seeking a forever human who can be home A LOT, offering him the constant love and reassurance he craves.”
“We think Tiki would be a perfect match for someone in their golden years, looking for a devoted friend to share their days with.”
After all the attention, Tiki finally found an adopter — but unfortunately, it proved to be an imperfect match, and the dog was soon returned to the shelter.
The humane society wrote that Tiki’s adopters could not handle his separation anxiety, and he will need a home better suited to helping him work through it.
If you think you’d be a perfect fit for Tiki and are interested in adopting, you can visit the shelter any day of the week, no appointment needed. For more information you can contact adoption specialists at (734) 662-5585 or [email protected].
We hope “escape artist” Tiki finds the perfect forever home soon! Please share this story to spread the word about him and help him get adopted!
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