In Memorial: R.I.P. Animals of 2012

MEOW THE CAT 

Passed Away: May 5

His Memory: Meow started stealing hearts early in the year with his extra-large build. The shelter cat was overfed by a previous owner and was on a well-publicized quest to get down to a healthy size. While Meow saw success, his life was sadly cut short by pulmonary failure. Meow's mission lives on in the pet owners inspired to help their overweight animals shed some pounds. 

MILEY CYRUS' DOG, LILA

Passed Away: December 11

Her Memory: Well-known animal lover Miley Cyrus suffered a tragic loss at the end of this year. Her 2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Lila passed away after her dog Ziggy accidentally injured the smaller canine. Cyrus reflected about the moment on Twitter, and let her followers know that it would take some time for her to overcome her broken heart. 

LONESOME GEORGE

Passed Away: June 24 

His Memory: Lonesome George may have been the last of his subspecies, but he had many friends. The Pinta giant tortoise became famous for outliving the rest of his relatives, and was visited by thousands every year at his home on the Galapagos Islands. The 100-year-old animal's passing is a reminder to all humans about the need to protect the Earth's environment and creatures. 

PRINCE HARRY THE PYGMY HIPPO

Passed Away: May 10

His Memory: With a face like Prince Harry's, it is easy to steal hearts. The newborn was rejected by his mother, but rallied — thanks to the assistance of several dedicated zoo keepers. After beating the odds several times, many thought Prince Harry had a long life ahead, so the hippo's fans were devastated when the animal died during surgery. 

DAR THE CHIMPANZEE

Passed Away: November 26

His Memory: Dar's unexpected death shocked his caregivers at Central Washington University. They found some solace in the fact that the primate gave the scientific community so much. Dar is well-known for his advanced sign language skills and ability to communicate with humans. He will always serve as an amazing example of the bond we can form with other animals. 

MERCY THE KITTEN 

Passed Away: December 10

Her Memory: Almost any living thing that comes in contact with Kim Kardashian gets a moment in the press, so it was no surprise when her kitten Mercy skyrocketed to fame. The gift from Kanye West made frequent appearances on Kardashian's Instagram account, until she gave the feline to a friend due to allergies. Mercy passed soon after moving to her new home, due to a cancer-like virus often found in purebred cats. 

MYSTERIOUS STURGEON 

Passed Away: March 26

His Memory: South Carolina woke up to quite a shock when a unknown creature washed up on the beach. Many onlookers called the strange-looking body a sea monster, but the answer turned out to be something much more real. A vet identified the fishy find as a large sturgeon. The photo of the aquatic creature still went viral, even with the not-so-spooky identification. 

MARTY THE NYAN CAT 

Passed Away: November 2

His Memory: The Internet's ultimate rainbow cat crossed the rainbow bridge this year. Marty, the cat who inspired the viral video "Nyan Cat", died due to an incurable feline disease. Thanks to technology and the Web's love for cats, Marty will always be remembered as a Pop Tart-shaped beam of happiness flying across space. 

TECH XX, THE BULLDOG MASCOT 

Passed Away: August 1

His Memory: Original reports about Louisiana Tech University's Bulldog mascot Tech XX claimed the dog went missing. The sad truth is that the canine passed away due to negligence that someone tried to cover up. A school employee left the dog out in sun for too long, and the animal suffered heat stroke. The upsetting news was a reminder of how important it is to look after our special friends during the summer months. 

SPONGEBOB THE CAT

Passed Away: August 9

His Memory: It looked like Spongebob the 33-lb. cat was going to live happily ever after when he was adopted by a family dedicated to helping him lose weight. Unfortunately, Spongebob's life in a forever home was cut short. The 9-year-old feline passed away due to heart complications. Like Meow, this sweet soul serves as a reminder of how necessary it is to keep our pets healthy. 

NATIONAL ZOO PANDA CUB 

Passed Away: September 23

His Memory: The National Zoo's celebration quickly turned to mourning when their week-old panda cub passed away. The animal appeared to be healthy at birth, responding to its mother. Zookeepers were heartbroken when they found the cub dead one morning, especially since the baby was a new hope for the species' conservation effort. 

THRILLER THE TIGER

Passed Away: June 28

Her Memory: Thriller is best known for her former owner, Michael Jackson. The deceased singer kept the animal as a pet at his Neverland Ranch, naming her after his hit album. Once Jackson left the ranch, Thriller went to a wildlife preserve. The tiger lived out the last of her years well-loved, with her brother in an expansive enclosure, before dying of lung cancer.