The cat was 'battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection.'
The internet is mourning one of its most famous felines.
On Monday, Lil Bub's owner, Mike Bridavsky, took to Instagram to share the news that his famous cat had died on Sunday at the age of eight.
"On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet," he captioned a split of the one of the first and last photos he took with Bub. "BUB was cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us Saturday night, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep.. I have always been fully transparent about BUB's health, and it was no secret that she was battling a persistent and aggressive bone infection."
The lengthy message continued, "Even knowing this, we weren't expecting her to pass so soon or so abruptly without warning. 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."
Bridavsky went on to praise his pet for the positive influence she had on his family and the world. "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," he wrote. "She taught me everything that I know about unconditional love."
He added, "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."
Bridavsky concluded his message with a short letter to Bub. "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," he wrote. "I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams."
According to the cat's website, Bub was "discovered as the runt of a healthy feral litter in a tool shed in rural Indiana" and was taken in as a rescue that would require special care. "Since then, BUB has overcome great challenges, is a published author, a talk show host, a movie star, and has helped raise well over $300,000 for animals in need," her website reads.
During her life in the spotlight, Bub -- who has over two million Instagram followers -- has posed with a number of celebrities, including Robert De Niro, Jack Black and Amy Sedaris.
Bub's death comes several months after the death of Grumpy Cat, another internet feline sensation. She died in May at the age of seven.
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