The chimp that once had the world at his feet

Around every Christmas time we are bombarded with advertisements about how a pet (usually a dog) is not just for the festive period - but for life. Yes, yes, we get it. Animals are not toys, they have feelings etc, etc.

 

This leads me nicely on to probably the most famous chimpanzee in the world, or at least the former most well known chimp ever to don a dungaree outfit and other questionable garments to the delight of  his then  owner. Remember Bubbles anybody? The happy go - lucky pal of the late, great Michael Jackson.

 

Well, the life of Bubbles is now a very different one to the one that he used to enjoy. Long gone are the days when this pampered beast ambled about knowing that he was basically untouchable. Justin Bieber's monkey can only but envy the legendary stories of Bubbles. (Bieber got into trouble recently taking his pet Mally to Germany. Mally was promptly detained after bounding from the private jet).

 

Bubbles never, ever had such problems - he was royalty. He slept in a cot next to Michael, went to all the debauched parties, ate at the table with the rest of the Jackson's. He travelled first class like his owner and never had as so much to meet a metal detector or be frisked. Bubbles was that chimp - the furry primate that could do the moonwalk. The chimpanzee that was so aloof he didn't even bother speaking to the media. Although, MJ did enquire into having him operated on so that he could have vocal cords.

 

 

Bubbles, like many people's lives are now significantly different since the death of MJ. The hapless creature was discarded to a sanctuary in Florida where he is seeing out the rest of his days. He is 27 years old now, he isn't as sprightly as he once was and has gained the pounds and he has a supposed depressed look in his eyes. Poor Bubbles can only but hanker back to the halcyon days that he once enjoyed. His extended family of Michael's mother (she's busy suing for billions that woman). The tyrannical father, (on a gun  wielding hype so is Joe). And as for the rest of that gang - well, it appears they just don't care about the chimp anymore.

 

He was relocated in 2005 and even Jacko's kids haven't found the time to go and visit him. So, as a result of this, Bubbles spends his time eating sweet potatoes, watching TV and listening to his former owners music on his walkman. (And probably sharing hilarious anecdotes about his celebrity past with the other apes that he lives with). An insider from the sanctuary claims that Bubbles is not  actually aware that his owner has passed away, and probably thinks he is on tour somewhere. The reliable insider later added that they prefer to not upset him with the harsh reality that Jacko ain't ever coming back for him.

 

Also, the people who now tend for him affirm that although he is well looked after he is  prone to bouts of melancholy, this is because nobody visits him and he feels a bit abandoned. As I mentioned before, MJ looked into getting vocal cords for Bubbles. However, he was unsuccessful - so how on earth do the sanctuary owners know that he wants visitors.

 

Sigh... spare a fleeting thought for Bubbles. The chimp that once had the world at his furry feet.

 

 

Demola, TCC