It was May 2020 when Bubbas, a gray pit bull became a big brother for the first time. His new little sister, a tiny kitten named Pepita, was the exact opposite of him in nearly every way: fluffy, hyper and curious. But they hit it off instantly, quickly
developing the type of relationship that even a rainbow bridge couldn’t separate.
From the moment that Bubbas and Pepita met, they were hardly ever apart. Whether they were playing together or cuddling, their best moments were spent by each other’s side.
“They had an incredibly close relationship,” Gris, the siblings’ mom, told The Dodo. “They loved cuddling on the floor and would pretty much always groom each other. Pepita loved licking Bubbas’ face and ears, and Bubbas would return the lickies …”
When they weren’t grooming each other, Bubbas and Pepita could typically be found surveilling the neighborhood or just soaking up the sun together.
“They also really loved looking outside together (watching critters), going on walks and sitting outside on our patio together,” Gris said. “They were truly bonded and loved each other so, so much.”
You can see Bubbas and Pepita cuddling here:
As little Pepita grew, so did her love for Bubbas — and the sweet boy felt the same way about his sister. After five and a half years, their bond was practically unshakeable. But then, on October 23, 2025, Bubbas suddenly got sick.
Pepita could tell that something was off that day. Bubbas hadn’t been feeling well in the morning, so her parents took him to the vet as quickly as they could. Sadly, the sweet boy didn’t make it. And when his parents tearfully returned home that night without him, Pepita immediately shut down.
“Pepita got very sad when we came home without Bubbas,” Gris said. “She stayed in our bedroom and would just sleep the day away …”
Gris did everything she could to comfort the poor girl, but Pepita refused to budge from her spot in their bedroom. Then, a few days later, Gris was setting up her ofrenda for Día de Muertos, and Pepita’s energy shifted as soon as Bubbas’ picture was placed on the mantel.
To honor Bubbas, Gris framed her favorite picture of him and positioned it alongside photos of her late loved ones. She also left him a small bowl of kibble and treats, “hoping it would lead [his spirit] back home and back to [Pepita].”
Gris had just placed Bubbas’ picture on the mantel and lit a candle in his honor when Pepita’s face appeared in the doorway. It was her first time in days stepping into the living room, and she seemed to be on a mission.
“[She] went straight to the bench, jumped up and was immediately curious about the ofrenda,” Gris said. “She got up on two feet to get a better look …”
Gris was in awe as she watched Pepita sniff Bubbas’ photo and pause. The curious cat stayed there for a moment, as if reuniting with her late best friend’s spirit one last time. And while they couldn’t play or cuddle like they used to, just feeling Bubbas close by again was enough to comfort Pepita.
You can watch that moment here:
It’s been a year since Pepita lost her best friend, but her family still finds ways to honor him every day. Their latest pup, Leo, reminds them physically of Bubbas, and he’s also developed a tight bond with Pepita. No matter where Pepita goes, her precocious little brother is sure to follow, and Gris is happy to see her finally have company again.
The family still feels Bubbas’ energy around them constantly. But as Gris sets up her Día de Muertos ofrenda this year again, in hopes that Bubbas’ spirit will return, she’s careful to place his picture close to the ledge so that Pepita will always have a front-row seat for his arrival.
“It means so much seeing her show curiosity and interest in the ofrenda,” Gris said. “I know that she could feel Bubbas’ energy.”
