This week, the world has mourned the loss of Grumpy Cat, arguably one of the most famous animals in internet history. Grumpy cat is known to her family as her real name “Tardar Sauce” or sometimes “Tard” for short, and she was just 7 years old when she died of a urinary tract infection.
Her owner, Tabatha Bundesen, from Phoenix, Arizona, announced the beloved cat’s passing through her Instagram page, which now has roughly 11 million followers.
“Despite care from top professionals, as well as from her very loving family, Grumpy encountered complications from a recent urinary tract infection that unfortunately became too tough for her to overcome. Besides being our baby and a cherished memory of the family, Grumpy Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world – even when times were tough… Her spirit will continue to live on through her fans everywhere,” the statement from the family read.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxjs_9zBmjU/?fbclid=IwAR093hdvzhQEJriXmQEzzdC4IXBlhm2biRU2RAw23PBvgTf6xoHPQRbH2Ss
Grumpy Cat’s manager, Ben Lashes, told the Guardian that Grumpy Cat “loved her many fans in the UK”.
“She was lucky enough to travel there for the unveiling of her Madame Tussauds wax figure, a signing at HMV Oxford, a buyers’ showcase for Primark, and a private visit to Abbey Road studios. Grumpy will forever be the queen of cats,” Lashes said.
Grumpy Cat struggled with health problems her whole life, as she suffered from feline dwarfism and an underbite which was likely the cause of her “grumpy” appearance.
Below are some of the best memes posted in memory of Grumpy Cat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BictCieBxVR/?fbclid=IwAR2BAiImP701wEi65wjrl6IQo0O-f4R-5cuEaMl5hyJTU5frnu16cGccA_o
https://www.instagram.com/p/BolHdXCgAHz/?fbclid=IwAR2tP4iBSKThctpTuHEUM-Pnr3c-91IJPSeC6gsYC-oMLWv8f5FBB_5Ydbs
https://twitter.com/coolcam101/status/1129329530424791040
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZUSPobH5Oq/?fbclid=IwAR33WuRiZf1CCbJKbaSf28regWXwF3ZkPFLdR4rDL1o4CaZhvYUzd0K7tlg
There were even many celebrities who expressed their sadness over the loss of Grumpy Cat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkdyuHHrVO/?utm_source=ig_embed
Rest in peace @RealGrumpyCat #rainbowbridge pic.twitter.com/qkS3Bowd89
— Tony La Russa (@TonyLaRussa) May 17, 2019
Grumpy Cat was recognized as Meme of the Year at the 2013 Webby Awards, but the animal’s image is responsible for making its owners millions of dollars.
Grumpy Cat became an internet sensation after her photo was posted on Reddit on September 22, 2012. It was suggested that the original photo was photoshopped, so the family posted a few videos of the cat to YouTube. The videos quickly went viral and her popularity has continued to increase. Grumpy Cat will likely be an internet legend who is remembered for years to come.
IMAGE CREDIT: Flickr