Kabosu, the beloved Shiba Inu who became an internet sensation as the face of the “Doge” meme, has passed away at the age of 18. Her owner, Atsuko Sato, announced her death on May 24th, attributing the cause to leukemia and liver disease. “She passed away peacefully as if she were sleeping while I petted her,” Sato wrote on her blog, expressing gratitude to Kabosu’s fans. “I believe Kabo-chan was the happiest dog in the world. And I was the happiest owner.”
From Rescue Dog to Internet Icon
Kabosu’s journey to fame began in 2010, two years after Sato rescued her from a puppy mill. A photograph of Kabosu sitting with her paws crossed on a sofa was posted on Sato’s blog, quickly spreading to the Reddit forum and transforming into the viral “Doge” meme. The image, paired with whimsical, broken English captions, captured the imaginations of millions, cementing Kabosu’s status as a cultural phenomenon.
Dogecoin: A Meme That Became Millions
The “Doge” meme transcended its humorous origins to inspire Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that began as a joke but rapidly gained a serious following. Dogecoin’s market value soared to $23 billion, driven by endorsements from celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Gene Simmons, and notably, Elon Musk. Musk’s tweets about Dogecoin have significantly impacted its market value, and he has famously dubbed it “the people’s crypto.”
The Legacy of Kabosu
Kabosu’s influence extended beyond memes and cryptocurrencies. In November of the previous year, a statue of Kabosu and her iconic $100,000 sofa was unveiled in Sakura, funded by the Own The Doge organization. This group, dedicated to celebrating the meme, has also made substantial charitable contributions, including over $1 million to Save the Children, marking the largest crypto donation the organization has received.
A Life Beyond the Meme
Despite her internet fame, Kabosu lived a humble life in Sakura, eastern Tokyo, with Sato, a 62-year-old teacher. Sato noted that Kabosu’s presence brought “unbelievable” events into their lives, such as when Elon Musk changed the Twitter icon to Kabosu’s face. Kabosu’s health battles were met with global support, with Sato crediting the “invisible power” of fans’ prayers for extending her beloved pet’s life.
Remembering Kabosu
As the world mourns the passing of Kabosu, her legacy as the “Doge” meme will continue to inspire joy and laughter. Kabosu’s journey from a rescued dog to an international icon serves as a heartwarming reminder of the unexpected ways our lives can be touched by a simple photograph. Atsuko Sato and fans worldwide will forever cherish the memories of the internet’s most famous Shiba Inu.