Kabosu, the Shiba Inu behind the infamous "Doge" meme and the face of the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, has died, his owner said Friday. She was 18 years old.
The puppy "crossed the rainbow bridge" in her sleep while at home in Japan with her owner, Atsuko Sato, petting her.
"She left very calmly without suffering, as if she fell asleep while feeling the warmth of my hands caressing her," Sato said in a post on Instagram. "I'm sure Kabosu was the happiest dog in the world. That makes me the happiest owner in the world."
Dogecoin account X also posted a tribute to Kabosu, saying he passed peacefully "into the arms of his person."
Today Kabosu, a friend and shared inspiration to our community, passed away peacefully in her arms. The impact this dog has had on the entire world is immeasurable.
She was a being who only knew happiness and unlimited love.
Please keep your spirit and your family in...
-Dogecoin (@dogecoin) May 24, 2024
"The impact this dog has had on the entire world is immeasurable. He was a being who only knew happiness and unlimited love," the publication reads. "Please keep her spirit and that of her family in your heart and, most importantly, carry her with you as your story continues; we are all fortunate that she touched and shaped ours."
Kabosu's life with Sato began in 2008, when the kindergarten teacher adopted the dog from an animal shelter. Like many dog โโowners, Sato began posting photos of the curious pup on Instagram and stories about her. on your blogbut it was one photo in particular that launched Kabosu from internet star to global icon.
The photo shows the Shiba Inu crossing its paws on a sofa with its round head tilted slightly while looking out of the corner of its eye in a somewhat mischievous manner, with its "eyebrows" raised. The image soon began to spread across the web, from Reddit to then-Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr. The Doge meme was born, typically attached to an internal monologue, a sort of grammatically incorrect title like "very scared" or "very happy."
Then in 2013, a digital currency called Dogecoin was created as a joke using Kabosu as a mascot. Intended to poke fun at other cryptocurrencies, it is now the eighth most valuable after the 2021 boom that made some investors millionaires. Elon Musk even mentioned adding Dogecoin as a payment method for Twitter subscription memberships.
But in 2022, Sato said the famous puppy fell ill with leukemia and liver disease. In a recent interview, she told AFP that Internet fans and her "invisible power" helped her get ahead.
Now fans have to say goodbye to the beloved pup. a public Farewell party Kabosu will be held Sunday in Narita from 1 to 4 p.m., Sato said.
