RIP Lil Bub in heaven
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Remembering Lil Bub: Out of This World Celebrity Cat Muse

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Remembering Lil Bub: Out of This World Celebrity Cat Muse by Layla Morgan Wilde.

The world is duller but the universe brighter with the arrival of its latest star angel, Lil Bub. One of the world’s most beloved felines died peacefully at home in Bloomington, Illinois on December 1, 2019 at age 8. I was lucky to have met her a couple times and spend private time with her. I’ll never forget her quirky, out of this world charm. My heart goes out to her soul mate cat dad, Mike Bridavsky, cat mom, Stacey, human and fur siblings.

Mike shared details of the sad news via his newsletter

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lil BUB (@iamlilbub) on


I first heard about Lil Bub (short for Lillian Bubbles) like many of us when she exploded onto the Internet 8 years ago. Those green marble eyes, cute tongue in a perma-kitten sized body mesmerized all who met her. We couldn’t get enough and her fame grew leaps and bounds to embrace millions of happy fans worldwide. People lined up at events for the privilege of being in the same room as her. She had charisma that made everyone who met her smile and feel better, hopeful and inspired.

Her death leaves a huge hole in a cat world in light so many celebrity cats dying in the past year including Oskar the Blind Cat, Grumpy Cat, Sir Thomas Trueheart, and number of cats featured in my Black Cats Tell All book.

We’ve done numerous Lil Bub reviews and interviews over the years including The Huffington Post. These are a few plus a exclusive pics not seen before.

Lil BUB_Layla Morgan Wilde_Mike Bridavsky

The last time I saw Bub in person was two years ago. She seemed to have aged so much for a 6 year-old cat.

Lil Bub with Layla Morgan Wilde cat expert

A photo of me and Bub that I’ve never posted before.

I first met Lil Bub in New York in 2013. She looked even tinier in person and in those days Mike wouldn’t let anyone pick her up and hold her. I got to touch her and do some Reiki healing. She’d just gotten the Alessi Loop, a device to help her walk better but wasn’t as nimble yet and stayed on the table. It was clear from those early days how devoted Mike was. Bub was a specially-abled cat with numerous health concerns including the inability to urinate normally. It takes certain kind of commitment willing to manually express a cat’s urine every day. Mike made her well being his first concern.

lil Bub RIP

Giving back was important to Mike. In the world of celebrity cats, it’s easy to exploit and sell out. He was very careful what corporate sponsorships he’d consider. Before partnering with the ASPCA, he’d ask my suggestions for suitable charities to donate to. In 8 years, Lil Bub was able to help thousands of cats and people and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars. I think that will be her greatest legacy which will no doubt continue. I was the one who suggested Lil Bub, blurb other cat books. It was unheard of at the time but she was published author, and has gone on the add her paw of approval to other books.

Given that Lil Bub wore many hats from pet adoption advocacy, happiness ambassador, author, calendar model, TV and film, video game star, I’d like to think she’d want to create some magic from the great beyond.

She once met Grumpy Cat in person and who knows, maybe will rendez-vous again?

Grumpy Cat Lil Bub in heaven

One of my favorite Lil Bub videos is a perennial holiday season must-see especially this year. It’s how I’d like to remember her, relaxing and happily purring by a roaring fire. Rest easy dear girl, no more achy bones for you.

16 Comments

  • Timmy Tomcat

    We are just catching up with news and are so sorry to hear about Little Bub. May you rest easy and now feel free and enjoy the wonders of the bridge. We shall meet again when it is our time
    Purrs dear one

  • Roxanne

    Thank you Layla for sharing your time & pics with Lil Bub….every day I would check FB just to see what Lil Bub had to post…Lil Bub always brighten my day and will always be in my heart.

  • Andrea

    I’m so glad that Lilian Bubbles had such a great human to care for her. I know she had her challenges but now that is all gone. We’ll all miss her here on earth.

  • Skeeter and Izzy

    We are so very sorry to hear of Lil Bub’s passing. So small but such a strong force! We know that her family is heartbroken and we send our love and purrs to each of them. Bub was such a lovely little soul. We would have loved to have met her in person. We are so proud of Mike for his tender care of her in this life and know that she is free in the next one. For sure Bub and Grumpy have hooked up over the bridge, they still have work to do.
    Hugs and Purrs and all of our kitty kisses to Lil Bub and her family. Peace to you all.
    Luvs
    Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang >^..^<

  • Eastside Cats

    I wish I’d found a way to visit Lil BUB, but she was always in another part of the country from where I was! I never had any doubt that Mike cared deeply for her, and always had her best interests in mind. The Earth is a bit less pretty, now that Lil BUB is not in it.

  • databbiesotrouttowne

    Godspeed your journey to heaven Lil Bub; you left a mark on millions of people’s hearts; that will never be erased. We send hugs to your family as well as our sincerest sympathies ♥♥♥♥♥♥

  • Kathryn Esplin-Oleski

    Oh my, Lil Bub. I will remember you always. You are so loved, no matter where you are – up there or in the house or garden, spreading your magical love…

  • ellen beck

    It is amazing how one so small can affect so may but she did. I was so saddened to hear of her passing. She promoted being special abled so well.
    Beautiful pictures you have of her and such nice memories to share!
    May her spirit run free……

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