The internet mourns the loss of Kabosu, the iconic Shiba Inu behind the famous “Doge” meme, who has passed away at the age of 18. Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Sato, shared the sad news on Instagram, revealing that the adored pet had been suffering from leukemia and liver disease.
“To all of you who loved Kabosu, on the morning of May 24th, Kabosu crossed the rainbow bridge. Thank you all so much for your support over the years,” Sato wrote. “She went very peacefully without suffering, as if falling asleep while feeling the warmth of my hands petting her.”
The Rise of the Doge Meme
Kabosu’s journey to internet stardom began in 2010 when a photo of her with crossed paws and a slight smirk went viral on Reddit and Tumblr. The image was affectionately dubbed “Doge” by a Reddit user, inspired by an intentional misspelling of “dog” from a 2005 episode of Homestar Runner. The meme gained massive popularity in 2013, featuring colorful Comic Sans text with humorous phrases like
“Wow. So scare” and “What r u doing?”
Kabosu’s influence extended beyond internet memes. In 2021, the “Doge” meme sold as a non-fungible token (NFT) for $4 million. Her face also became the symbol of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, initially created as a joke but later gaining significant traction. Dogecoin even appeared as the sleeve sponsor for Watford Football Club, and for a brief period in April, its logo was used as the icon for Twitter’s home button.
Sato, a teacher in Japan, adopted Kabosu the Doge Meme Dog in 2008 from an animal shelter after her puppy mill shut down. Reflecting on Kabosu’s life, Sato expressed her heartfelt gratitude:
“I am certain Kabosu was the happiest dog in the world. That makes me the happiest owner in the world. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to everyone who has sent us much love.”
Kabosu’s peaceful passing marks the end of an era for a dog that brought joy, humor, and a sense of community to millions around the globe.
Also read, Viral Video: Chimpanzee Returns Lost Shoe, Showcasing Incredible Intelligence
Stay entertained with the quirkiest news! Explore MyViralBox.com today.
