Kabosu, the Shiba Inu dog famous for inspiring the “Doge” meme and the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, has died at the age of 18. Her owner, Atsuko Sato, announced Kabosu’s passing in a blog post on Friday, revealing that she died peacefully in her sleep.
Kabosu became an internet sensation in 2010 when Sato posted a photo of her giving a quizzical, side-eye expression. By 2013, this image had spread across the internet, giving rise to the “Doge” memes characterized by captions in broken English like “much wow” and “such amaze.”
The meme’s popularity led to the creation of Dogecoin in December 2013 by two software engineers. What started as a satirical critique of the cryptocurrency frenzy quickly grew into a serious digital currency, especially after billionaire Elon Musk began promoting it in 2020. Dogecoin’s market value soared, reaching around $23.6 billion, making it the ninth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Dogecoin’s official account paid tribute to Kabosu, stating, “The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable. She was a being who knew only happiness and limitless love.”
In addition to her digital fame, Kabosu’s legacy includes a bronze statue in her hometown of Sakura, Japan, and a non-fungible token (NFT) of her image that sold for $4 million in 2021.
Kabosu’s influence extended far beyond memes and cryptocurrency, touching countless lives globally. As Sato reflected on her beloved pet, she thanked everyone who loved Kabosu, emphasizing the joy and love the dog brought to the world.
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