King “Bubbers” Thompson, the beloved Great Dane of Winchester, KY, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, at the age of 11 following a brief illness. Born on January 22, 2014, King brought joy, laughter, and unconditional love to the Thompson household from the moment his oversized paws padded into their lives. Though towering in stature, King had a soul that craved closeness—he spent much of his time trying to fold himself into laps far too small for his grand frame, believing wholeheartedly that love was meant to be shared skin to fur. He greeted every visitor with a gift, often a pillow dragged from the couch, nudged gently into their arms as a welcome offering. Blankets were his sanctuary; he’d burrow under them until he disappeared completely, emerging only for a spirited game of tug o’ war or to share one of his signature head bumps, leaning in with all the weight of his affection. His zoomies were seismic, rumbling through the house with joyful abandon. And his talent for counter-surfing was nothing short of legendary—if you didn’t move fast enough, your dinner became King’s second course, devoured with unapologetic charm. Goofy didn’t quite do him justice; he was joy in motion, a pillow-toting, snack-loving, lap-seeking embodiment of unconditional love. King’s heart belonged wholly to his family—Alisha and Brian Thompson, Lilly Thompson, and his canine brother Hank. He was more than a pet. He was a comforting presence in quiet moments, a burst of laughter in silly ones, and a constant source of warmth and companionship. His joy for life and love for others defined him completely. King has been cremated and his spirit lives on in every shared blanket, every playful head bump, and every tale told about a dog whose presence filled the room long before his paws did. Photo by Betty Lea Photography