Monkeying around: Michael Jackson's sister LaToya visits her brother's favourite chimp Bubbles

By Mail Online Reporter

Sister and chimp reunion: An emotional LaToya Jackson shares a moment with her late brother Michael's former pet chimp, Bubbles


Nearing the anniversary of her brother's death on Friday, LaToya Jackson had an emotional reunion with Michael's former pet Bubbles the chimpanzee.

As part of an Animal Planet documentary, she visited the ape at his Florida sanctuary.

On her way there, LaToya confessed that she was 'really looking forward to seeing Bubbles, more than anything else'.


Behind bars: Apart from a few grey hairs, Bubbles still looks the same as when he was young, according to LaToya


Michael's big sister claimed that she hadn't seen Bubbles for '20 something years' and her excitement was palpable.

Unfortunately, Bubbles' enthusiasm at the long-awaited reunion didn't match LaToya's and he remained pretty stoic as he gazed sadly from behind bars.

LaToya, 54, said the chimp used to 'eat at the table with us' and told how he used to walk to the fridge and help himself to his favourite treat - Haagen-Dazs ice cream.

As she hosed him down with water, the singer reminisced that it was just like old days, when Bubbles used to have his own bathroom and regularly take showers.


Walk back in time: LaToya was in a nostalgic mood as she visited her brother's former pet and strolled around the grounds of the sanctuary where he lives


Things turned emotional for LaToya though as she shared a little one on one time with the chimp.

A teary Jackson told Bubbles: 'I miss you - I haven't seen you in ages.'
Michael Jackson adopted the ape from a Texas research facility in the early eighties.

Bubbles slept in a crib in Jackson's bedroom, shared the singer's toilet and ate sweets in the Neverland movie theatre.

For a time, Jackson took the chimp everywhere with him, even travelling to Japan with him and taking him along to afternoon tea with a Japanese mayor.


In happier times: Michael Jackson poses in a matching outfit with Bubbles


Unfortunately for Bubbles though his lavish lifestyle was brought to a grinding halt when he grew too large, and aggressive, for Jackson to handle.

In 2003, his pet was carted off to a California animal sanctuary where he became so depressed he reportedly attempted suicide.

When the sanctuary closed in 2004, Bubbles was taken to his current home, the Center for Great Apes, in Wauchula, Florida.




source: dailymail