Internet Cat Lil Bub Has Died — Here Are the Best Lil Bub Memes

We said goodbye to Grumpy Cat and now, unfortunately, internet cat sensation Lil Bub has died at the ripe old age of eight years old. Lil Bub suffered from a multitude of genetic anomalies that made her a "perma-kitten," an adult cat that still looked like a cute, little kitten. Her signature big eyes and hanging tongue made her a total celebrity and one of the most recognizable cat faces in the meme world. 

Mike Bridavsky posted a heartbreaking message to social media on December 2 to let everyone know that Lil Bub had died.

"This is my first photo with BUB next our last photo together," Mike wrote. "On the morning of Sunday, December 1, 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."

Lil Bub had been fighting a bone infection for some time and had numerous other health issues, but her death was still unexpected. When she was born in 2011, no one knew that she would become one of the most famous cats in the world, the subject of a documentary, a talk show host, and one of the best advocates for special needs animals out there. 

Lil Bub helped create the Big Fund for the ASPCA, which is the first national fund for special needs pets. This little cat helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for animals just like her who need a little extra love.

Lil Bub was a meme queen throughout her life, and people everywhere used the form to express their love for Lil Bub and all the joy she was responsible for. 

While it might seem a little silly to feel so broken about the death of an internet cat, there is no denying that Lil Bub brought joy to millions in her time. That has value in and of itself, in addition to all the good she and her owners did for special needs animals. 

In the Instagram post announcing Lil Bub's death, Mike wrote, "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."

It's always hard to lose a pet. I can't imagine what it's like to lose a pet that so many people loved and found comfort in. Mike continued, "She taught me everything that I know about unconditional love, she brought my wife Stacy and I together, she's the reason we have our beautiful children Rosco and Lula, and she has been a constant source of warmth and love in our lives for the past eight years."

The internet is a little less cute now that Lil Bub is gone. But there is no doubt that the effects of her joy and work and love are still being felt around the world and will continue to ripple for years to come. RIP Lil Bub. You were a real one.