Pets with Special Needs Honored with “Lil BUB: The Earth Years”

The life and legacy of Lil BUB, the cherished cat with special needs, will be celebrated with the limited-edition release of Lil BUB: The Earth Years, a 376-page coffee table book and exclusive 7” record, Transmissions From Space. The double-release, which features two new pieces composed by Lil BUB herself, from her intergalactic afterlife, will debut on April 23 via Melodic Virtue.

The artful docu-journal was lovingly compiled by her “dude” Mike Bridavsky, and features beautiful photos and a complete chronological, biographical commentary about her extraordinary life. It features an intro from Jackson Galaxy, foreword by Steve Albini, and exclusive quotes from Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Black, El-P (Run The Jewels), Andrew W.K., Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Kimya Dawson, David Yow (The Jesus Lizard), Aesop Rock, and more.

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“Ever since BUB landed on Earth back in the summer of 2011, she has brought immeasurable positivity, hope, and happiness to millions of people all over our planet,” says Mike Bridavsky. “Since the moment I took the first photo of BUB’s remarkable face, I’ve had the dream of making a deluxe coffee table photo book featuring her photographs. And as with all things BUB, everything came together serendipitously after she departed back into space and our longtime friend and collaborator Aaron Tanner began designing and manufacturing coffee table books for notable bands. To commemorate the unmistakable good she brought to us in her 8+ short years on Earth, Aaron and I have decided to collaborate on this beautiful book in honor of one of the most amazing cats on the planet: Lil BUB.”

During her inspiring and influential life, Lil BUB hosted her own talk show, was the subject of VICE’s Lil BUB & Friendz, starred in her own Animal Planet primetime television special, recorded the Billboard chart-topping album Science & Magic, was a published author, and represented many animal advocacy organizations.

Lil BUB’s endearing story and overwhelming charisma cemented her in both pop culture and digital legend. Found in a toolshed as a feral kitten, she was the first cat in recorded history born with osteopetrosis, an extraordinarily rare bone condition. Additionally, she had an underdeveloped jaw (causing her tongue to perpetually protrude), no teeth, polydactyly (extra toes/claws), and enormous green eyes. Weeks after rescuing her, Bridavsky shared BUB’s story online and soon her unique appearance and undeniable magic connected with a global audience, garnering millions of fans while raising awareness and hundreds of thousands of dollars for adoptable pets worldwide.

The casebound, 9”x9” book honoring the cat celebrity is limited to 3500 numbered copies (3000 standard, 500 deluxe edition),  and an additional 80-page book of Lil BUB-inspired artwork titled Transmissions From Earth: Original Art Inspired by Lil BUB is also included in the deluxe package. 30 percent of the book’s proceeds will benefit Lil BUB’s Big FUND, a 501c3 non-profit established by her family to advocate for animals with special needs.