Lil Bub, Viral Internet Cat, Has Died

"We lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet."

The Internet has lost a truly great fuzzy friend. Lil Bub, the "one of a kind critter" that captured the hearts of social media users and celebrities everywhere with her truly unique appearance has died at 8 years old.

Sharing the news on the Lil Bub Instagram, her owner, Mike Bridavsky shared the unfortunate news. "On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet," he wrote. "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."

According to Lil Bub's website, the cat was born with a number of genetic anomalies that caused the cat to permanently appear like a kitten. She was also born with extra toes and was diagnosed with dwarfism, which led to limbs that were disproportionate to the rest of her body; because her teeth never grew in properly, she was often photographed with her tongue sticking out.

Mike explained that the family had not expected for the cat to pass away so suddenly, and he celebrated the impact of Lil Bub. "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," Mike wrote.

In addition to serving as the face of Lil BUB's Big FUND for the ASPCA (the first national fund for special needs pets), the cat had become a fave among celebrities and had worked with artists including Run the Jewels and Andrew W.K.

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue