I remember that late night drive where me and your human dad took to see you after I found your last human mom's Craigslist ad. I lost my last furbaby Luna just a few months prior, and I was so desperately wanting to pour my love into another furry child. Your human dad was adamant about this being just a "we'll look and see" trip, but I knew the moment we walked through that front door threshold and the heavy stink of cigarettes hit our nostrils, we were taking you home with us that night. How could anyone in their right mind selfishly destroy an innocent being's lungs like this?! 

You were so quiet and shy when we were awkwardly standing around in this stranger's living room. 

"His name is Bubba. You know because of the movie Forest Gump and his lip" she said. I was speechless... To give a black cat with a slight lower lip bump that name was... a choice. 

So after settling things with the previous owner, we headed back home to get you properly cared for. It took two scrub downs to get that tar smell off of your fur and I know every minute of it wasn't pleasant for you, but I think you knew I was helping you out since you seemed to settle down halfway through.

I went to go lie down on my bed for the night, and you leaped up onto the bed next to me. I spoke your name and you let out a purr and melted into me, and that's when I knew that it wasn't the name that was important, but the love and respect we have for one another that was more important. So I kept your name Bubba to honor who you were in your past life, but I also gave you Salem as your middle name to celebrate your new life with me. Little did I know that at the end of our 8 year journey together, that you'd be passing away in the city with the very same name...

My sweet, empathetic, playful, talkative, handsome, devious, foodie, photogenic Bubba. Your painfully long 3 month battle with intestinal cancer was so agonizing... It took a toll on both of us.. but you the most... I could not stand watching you suffer. I could only imagine how much pain you were in every day. I am so sorry that I could not afford the care you needed to be able to have a higher chance of beating this shitty disease. 

I am grateful for all the memories we shared. All the silly, bad, and beautiful moments. You ripping up my chips bags, stealing my food off my plate, your deep "MOWS" as you roamed around crying out for me, your playful prancing outside chasing the butterflies, your chomping down on some green grass, you begging for more food when your plate was already full, you hissing at my ex's mom, you trusting me enough to allow me to bury my face into your fluffy belly to take a whiff of your wonderfully calming scent, feel the warmth of your body, and the softness of your fur...It always gave me such blissful peace...

I'm glad we were able to share one last Churru moment, a night/morning, and a drive together...albeit I didn't know it would be our last. Know that you're infinitely beloved by many online and in person. Your silly antics captivated in the videos, photos, and clips that my community, family, friends, and I made may one day disappear from the world just like you have. However, you'll live on furever in the many hearts that you touched with your beautiful soul.



I love you, Bubba



"My sun, rock, and world

My heart aches for you my sweet boy

Keep on Bubba-ing over the rainbow bridge"



Bubba Salem Cantos

01/25/18-03/06/26