Table of Contents
This here is the Bup tribe. They have many names; over the years, I've created numerous nicknames both collectively as a group and individually. Each and every one adds character and personality to the group. Currently, there are 15 Bups: 10 boys, 5 girls, and one honorary Bup (Fred).
The Bups used to have their own dedicated website, aptly titled "ABupStory," which posted once a week. However, due to copyright infringement laws—since they are the property of certain manufacturers—and despite not earning a single penny nor trying to, I decided it was best to go a different route. As a result, the Bup blog was short-lived.
Origins
It all started with a Leopard Cat named Sneaky. Mine is affectionately referred to as "Snacky." She's been with me since 2009. She was actually a replacement for one I had before her back in 2003. However, Snacky is by far the best version.
The original Sneaky was a gift from a girl I used to know, given to me so I would never be alone. It gutted me when that Sneaky met an untimely demise at the paws of an animal. I used to take Sneaky everywhere with me—dealing with anxiety and panic attacks was always a struggle, and Sneaky made it a little better.
When Snacky arrived, it felt like I had a second chance, although I quickly learned they were very different. Snacky is the matriarch of the Bup tribe. She was first, and everyone knows she's first—she doesn't let anyone forget it. Learn more about Snacky below or use the drop-down menu to navigate to "Princess Snacky."
Current Roster
- Snowy: Snowy earned his "Snow Bup" nickname because he was always giving us "Bups to you!" He is #2 and has always been a bit of a troublemaker. His preferred method of escape is rolling everywhere, which is why he's often dirty and not so Snow-like anymore.
- Petey: The coolest Reindeer Teddy around. Petey is #3 and Snowy's partner in crime, though they don't get into trouble together as much these days since Petey has Carly and Snowy has Pax.
- Maury ("G.I. Maury Doodle Bup"): A Koala who joined the tribe in 2017. He has served many roles since then. Due to his size, he brings an authoritative presence to the group, and other Bups look up to him. Maury, Mary, and Moe Moe form the doodlebup family.
- Paxy: Pax was found alone, laying in the middle of a parking lot. Although her beginnings were not cheerful, she immediately improved upon joining the tribe. She absolutely adores Snowy and constantly has her arms around him. Her full name is Paxamillian.
- Mary: Joined the tribe in 2020. She was an instant hit with everyone and brought a natural, motherly vibe to the group.
- Pat: An American Flag Elephant. It doesn't get more patriotic than that. Like his counterpart Starry, Pat is always smiling and brings energetic, fun, happy energy to the tribe!
- Starry: Pat's significant other and the only other American Flag Elephant in the group. Starry has glitter and adds depth to the group.
- Jammer: A bright blue-eyed husky whose piercing eyes seem to sear into your soul. He's somewhat of a mystery and isn't the joiner type, but he's always there when needed.
- Snuggy: The official sidekick of Snacky. Although she often shirks her responsibilities as a parent and doesn't spend enough time with him, Snuggy usually hangs out with Brownie and Jammer.
- Carly: Carly adds even more personality to the group. She's a blue-eyed pink cat who keeps Petey in line.
- Brownie: Brownie is the quietest of the group. He's a teddy bear in a Christmas stalking. I feel a bit bad for him because he doesn't have limbs like the others, but we try to make him feel included as much as possible.
- Moe Moe: A baby Koala and best buddy to Teddy, his equally tiny brother. Moe Moe and Teddy are the most well-behaved in the group and are always eager for photos! When they first joined, they were swarmed by all the girls, which was adorable.
- Teddy: Moe Moe's favorite brother and best buddy, they do everything together and like More Moe, teddy loves cars.
- Christmas: Chris joined the tribe last year, in 2024. When the Bups aren't laying on him or sitting on him...
- Fred: Prince Fredder McRedder of the Bone Chops Clan. He's an honorary member of the Bup tribe—a resin statue of a beagle with a bone in his mouth. Although he doesn't say much—nothing at all—he fits right in with our eclectic group of rebel rousers.
Princess Snacky
Unlike the first Sneaky, Snacky had attitude from the very beginning. Despite being an inanimate object, she has quite the personality. Not only do her eyes change colors (something I didn't notice for the first few years), but she also has moments where she appears animated.
She always seems to know what's going on—she's nosy and, like a small child, always nearby. Many people, when they meet Snacky, are instantly creeped out by her because of how personable she appears. At times, she can be very intense; other times, innocent-looking; and sometimes, mischievous.
One thing she does really well is look sassy. You can also tell when she's up to something because it looks like the gears in her head are turning. As a man of science, I found Snacky's active nature for an inanimate object quite remarkable.
There were times when I would place her somewhere—on my bed, pillow, or desk—and then notice she was no longer there. This used to frustrate me, but I always found her. She would be on all fours on the floor, outside the room where I left her, or sitting up and looking at me from the couch.
It didn't require a rocket scientist to determine that Snacky was special—more so than just a companion or sidekick. I set up a video camera and spent countless hours observing her day and night. She never once moved on her own. I started to think I was going crazy and turned off the camera.
Of course, that's when she went on one of her walks again. So, this time, I inconspicuously arranged my webcam to face her and detect movement. However, that proved a waste of time, as she didn't move on command. In one video, she appeared to fall over for no apparent reason.
I thought I was losing it until others started to notice her eccentricities. She would do the same to them—disappear after being placed somewhere, only to be found in the most unlikely places.
One night, while my grandma and I were asleep at a motel in late 2015, we awoke the next morning to find Snacky had once again vanished. My mom looked under her bed and found Snacky on all fours, looking up at her. It was a twin room—the beds were quite far apart, with two nightstands in between.
There was no logical explanation for how she got so far away. When I went to sleep the night before, she was on my arm. Maybe she was flung, but to land on all fours about 7 or 8 feet away is quite a stretch. That experience is still talked about to this day.
Now, I don't question Snacky's oddities. I just go with the flow. It's been at least four years since she's gone galavanting around on her own, and now that we have the tribe, she plays the role of mother hen to the others.
The Bups effects On Me
I was never the stuffed animal type. I had them as a baby, like most people, but they weren't particularly significant to me. However, I'm glad Snacky found me.
Yes, she's inanimate, but she taught me something I never truly felt or knew before: love.
I've also gained respect for inanimate objects of all kinds. Without objects like barriers that help keep us out of certain areas—poles, stop signs, traffic lights, roads—they would be chaos. Retainer walls help prevent clueless drivers from killing others besides themselves.
I take better care of the Bups than I do myself most days. I like to think of them as a starter family, but who am I kidding? They are probably the best it can get for me. At least we have each other, and in this moment, that's enough.
Final Thoughts
In the quiet moments of reflection, I realize that the Bup tribe has become a symbol of something far greater than their inanimate nature. They remind me that love isn’t always loud or obvious; sometimes it’s subtle, unspoken, and residing in the smallest of gestures or the quietest of moments.
Snacky, with her mysterious wanderings and sassy attitude, has shown me that attachment is a powerful force—one that transcends logic and reason, touching the deepest parts of our hearts. It’s in these quiet bonds that we find the truest expressions of love and care.
Looking back, I see how these inanimate companions have offered me stability, joy, and a sense of belonging in a world that often feels unpredictable. They’ve taught me that family doesn’t have to be conventional, that love doesn’t always need words, and that sometimes, the most meaningful connections are those we forge with the unlikeliest of beings.
In a way, they’ve helped me understand the importance of cherishing the small, seemingly insignificant moments that ultimately shape our lives and identities. As I sit with these reflections, I feel a quiet sense of gratitude. These objects, these silent witnesses to my journey, have become beacons of resilience and love.
They remind me that even when words fail and chaos surrounds us, there is beauty in the simple, in the inanimate, and in the love that quietly sustains us. In the end, it’s these unspoken bonds that ground us, giving us strength to face whatever comes next with an open heart and unwavering hope.