Doge meme & Dogecoin inspiration, Kabosu the dog, dies due to cancer

In a tragic news, Atsuko Sato, the owner of Kabosu, the famous Shiba Inu who captured the hearts of millions as the iconic Doge meme, revealed the passing of her cherished companion. Kabosu, known for her endearing expression that launched a thousand memes, peacefully departed this world, slipping into eternal rest at 7:50 am on May 24. He was over 17 years old.

A farewell gathering is slated to honor Kabosu's memory at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City, this Sunday, spanning from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Kabosu's rise to fame traces back to 2010 when her captivating images circulated across the internet, giving birth to the widely adored Doge meme. The meme's popularity surged, birthing a cultural phenomenon and even serving as the inspiration behind Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency launched in 2013 featuring Kabosu's likeness as its emblem. Originally conceived in jest, Dogecoin's unexpected triumph spurred the emergence of numerous other canine-themed digital currencies.


In a significant moment last April, Elon Musk momentarily replaced Twitter's emblem with an image of Kabosu, triggering a remarkable surge in Dogecoin's market value. Musk, a vocal advocate of the meme-based cryptocurrency, further cemented Kabosu's place in digital culture.

Kabosu's health battles were no secret, having been diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis and chronic lymphoma leukemia back in 2022. Her passing marks the conclusion of an era for aficionados of internet memes and the cryptocurrency realm.

Kabosu may have departed, but her legacy as the endearing face of the Doge meme will endure, forever etched in the annals of online culture.

(Inputs from agencies)