Kabosu, the Shiba Inu that became famous as the “doge” meme, has passed away at the age of 18, her owner announced.
Kabosu became an internet sensation over 14 years ago, inspiring countless jokes and even the Dogecoin cryptocurrency. Sadly, she had been battling leukemia and liver disease and died on May 24.
“She passed away peacefully while I was holding her,” said Atsuko Sato, her owner, on her blog, expressing gratitude to Kabosu’s fans. “I believe Kabo-chan was the happiest dog, and I was the happiest owner.”
Kabosu, a rescue dog, was adopted from a puppy mill by Ms. Sato in 2008. Her exact birthday was unknown, but she was estimated to be 18. In 2010, a photo of Kabosu crossing her paws went viral after Ms. Sato posted it on her blog. This image spread to Reddit, turning Kabosu into a meme sensation known for its funny captions and inspiring Dogecoin.
Kabosu’s influence extended beyond memes. A digital artwork of her sold for $4 million and Dogecoin, initially a joke, grew into a major cryptocurrency worth $23 billion, supported by celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Gene Simmons, and Elon Musk.
Despite her illness in late 2022, Kabosu’s fans worldwide offered prayers, which Ms. Sato believes gave her strength. Kabosu’s legacy includes a $100,000 statue unveiled in Sakura and over $1 million in donations to Save the Children, the largest crypto donation the NGO has received.
Highlights:
- Kabosu, the Shiba Inu behind the Doge meme, passed away on May 24, 2024, at age 18.
- Rescued from an animal shelter in 2008, Kabosu was abandoned by a closed puppy mill.
- Her expressive face became the symbol of the Doge meme, spreading across platforms like Reddit and Tumblr.
- Fans mourned her loss, sharing tributes on social media.
