The Instagram sensation feline Lil Bub died while sleeping last Sunday.
Bub died after “battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection,” her owner said. She was eight-year-old at the time of her death.
The news of the world-famous cat’s demise was declared by her owner, Mike Bridavsky, in an Instagram post on the cat’s official page.
“On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet. BUB was cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us Saturday night, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep,” wrote the heartbroken owner.
“It is impossible to put into words the profound effect that BUB has had on my life, on the lives of thousands of homeless pets, and on the lives of those of you that have cared for her as if she were your own family. She taught me everything that I know about unconditional love,” the extensive post said.
Mike also added “she has been a constant source of warmth and love in our lives for the past 8 years. To say that our family is devastated would be an understatement.”
Mike rescued Lil Bub back in 2011 from a tool shed in Indiana where she was present with her mother and siblings.
From the very start, it was evident that Bub was not like any other cat and her owners knew that they’d have to go the extra mile to keep her alive and good.
According to Bub’s official website, she had a “multitude of genetic anomalies.”
Bub was a perma-kitten, a condition where a kitten remains a kitten for its entire life. On top of that, the poor little thing suffered from an “extreme case of dwarfism,” which made her limbs disproportionately smaller as compared to the rest of her body, causing difficulty for her to move around.
Bub’s jaws were also of different sizes and she never had a full set of teeth as adult cats have and her tongue always protruded out of her mouth.
Mike refers to these issues Bub had as “happy accidents” on Bub’s website.
Despite all these happy accidents, nothing could hold Bub back from being famous. She got 2.3 million followers on Insta and around 3 million on Facebook in her 8 years lifespan.
Mike wrote in the post announcing her death: “I have always been fully transparent about BUB’s health.”
As a part of his commitment, Mike told people of the osteoporosis Bub suffered and the recent bone infection that ultimately claimed Bub’s life.
“It was no secret that she was battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection. Even knowing this, we weren’t expecting her to pass so soon or so abruptly without warning,” says the post which has the only photo Mike has with Bub.
“I truly believe that she willingly made the decision to leave her failing body so that our family would not have to make that difficult decision ourselves.
“BUB has made a huge difference in the world of animal welfare, and in the lives of millions of people worldwide.
“She has literally saved thousands of lives (both pets and humans), she started the first national fund for special needs pets, she was the subject of groundbreaking genetic and biological research, she’s helped raise over $700,000 for animals in need, and has spread a message of determination, positivity, and perseverance to people all over the world.”
Lil Bub might have gone, but her legacy of kindness and warmth will always live.
“I know that her spirit, magic, and overwhelming energy are still with us, reminding us every day to be better,” Mike ended his post.
“Dearest BUB, I will never forget your generosity, your limitless supply of love, or your uncanny ability to bring so much magic and joy to the world.
“I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams.”
Replaced!