Kabosu, the beloved dog who inspired countless "doge" memes, passed away, as announced by her owner on Friday.
Atsuko Sato shared in a blogpost that the Japanese shiba inu peacefully entered a deep slumber at the age of 18 on Friday morning.
Sato, a kindergarten teacher in the Japanese city of Sakura, wrote about a beautiful morning when birds were singing outside the window. As he gently touched her, he felt her pass away. Sato believed that she was the happiest dog in the world.
Representation of Dogecoin cryptocurrency is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on January 6, 2022.
Representation of Dogecoin cryptocurrency is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on January 6, 2022.
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images
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Kabosu gained internet fame in 2010 after a photo of her went viral on forums like Reddit. People were drawn to her adorable pose with folded paws and a curious look. This led to the creation of "doge" memes, where Kabosu's face was edited onto various objects and animals, often with intentional misspellings for humor.
The fame of "doge" memes was solidified in December 2013, when Kabosu was featured as the mascot of the alternative cryptocurrency Dogecoin. This playful response to Bitcoin showcased the internet's adoration for animal memes. Following this trend, other meme tokens emerged, such as a shiba inu coin.
One notable supporter of Dogecoin is Elon Musk. In May 2021, he conducted a poll on Twitter, asking his millions of followers whether Tesla should start accepting the cryptocurrency as a form of payment.
A month ago, during a time when cryptocurrencies were becoming more popular, there was a sudden increase in demand for Dogecoin. This surge was so significant that it caused a temporary disruption in Robinhood, a platform for stock trading and investing.
In a recent post by Dogecoin on Friday, they referred to Kabosu as the "inspiration" of their community. The post highlighted the immense impact that this particular dog has had worldwide.
Sato said in a series of Instagram posts in 2022 that Kabosu had leukemia and liver disease. She is planning to hold a “farewell gathering” on Sunday.
Mai Nishiyama contributed reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The passing of Kabosu, the beloved Shiba Inu who inspired countless "doge" memes, is a bittersweet moment for the internet community. Her adorable image and curious expression brought joy and laughter to millions, solidifying her place as an icon of the digital age. However, her passing also highlights the fleeting nature of our online interactions and the importance of cherishing the moments we share with our loved ones, both human and canine.
Beyond her role as a meme sensation, Kabosu played a significant part in the rise of Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that has become synonymous with the Shiba Inu breed. Her image as the mascot of Dogecoin embodies the playful and often absurd nature of internet culture, reflecting the growing influence of memes in shaping our online experiences. While her absence will be felt by many, her legacy will continue to inspire creativity and laughter for generations to come.
