(CNN) The cat with the little tongue that stole the hearts of the internet has died at age 8.

Lil Bub came into the world in June 2011 and died on Sunday peacefully in her sleep. The news was announced to BUB's 2.3 million followers on her official Instagram page.

"Dearest BUB, I will never forget your generosity, your limitless supply of love, or your uncanny ability to bring so much magic and joy to the world. I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams," her "dude," Mike Bridavsky, posted.

In announcing the cat's death, Bridavsky published the first photo he took of Bub next their last last photo together.

Bub, one of the original internet cat sensations, rose to fame in 2012 after she appeared on the front page of Reddit. Bridavsky started a Tumblr page of her photos when he adopted her in 2011, and the rest is history.