Kabosu, the Shiba Inu dog that captured the hearts of millions as the face of the legendary doge meme and the meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin, passed away on May 24. Kabosu was 17 years old.
Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Sato, announced the news on her official blog, expressing deep gratitude for the love and support Kabosu had shown over the years. Sato explained that a farewell for the deceased dog would be held at Flower Kaori no Mori in Narita City on May 26.
The crypto community and Kabosu’s fans expressed their condolences, sharing tributes and some of their favorite memories of the dog that became an internet legend.
Kabosu’s legacy as the face of crypto culture and Dogecoin will continue to symbolize the spirit of the community and inspire future generations of meme culture, as the dog first attracted attention in 2010 when Sato posted her photos on her blog. One specific image of Kabosu, showing a skeptical and curious expression, quickly went viral, giving rise to the ‘doge’ meme.
Her photo, accompanied by phrases and Comic Sans font, became a cornerstone of internet culture.
By 2013, the popularity of the underlying meme grew after Dogecoin was created, using Kabosu’s image as its official logo.
Although initially conceived as a joke, Dogecoin evolved into a popular cryptocurrency responsible for several charitable initiatives, including clean water projects and funding the Jamaican bobsled team.
In December 2022, Sato informed the community that Kabosu was in a ‘dangerous position’ referring to her health, which prompted immense support from the crypto community.
This included co-creator of Dogecoin Billy Markus, known as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, who asked his followers to send support, leading one user to offer to cover all costs necessary to ensure she received the best treatment.
