Throughout the history of the internet, weve seen countless memes that defined the digital era. Whether due to their innate charm and cuteness, dogs have the potential to star in funny images that go viral worldwide. Sadly, one of the internets most famous pets has just passed away.
We are talking about Kabosu, the cute Shiba Inu dog that inspired the famous meme Doge. Early on Friday, May 24, her owner confirmed that her four-legged friend had passed away. The news shocked thousands, who mobilized to say goodbye to the adorable pet.
Through a post on her official Instagram account, Atsuko Sato, a kindergarten teacher who adopted Kabosu in 2008, announced the sad news and shared an emotional message bidding farewell to her pet and thanking the community for their support.
"On the morning of May 24, Kabosu crossed the rainbow bridge. Thank you so much to everyone for your support over the years. She left very peacefully without suffering, as if she fell asleep while feeling the warmth of my hands petting her. Thank you all so much for loving her these years. Im sure she was the happiest dog in the world, and that makes me the happiest owner," wrote Atsuko Sato.
Doge fans quickly sent messages of condolence and shared images to pay tribute to the cute pet. On her blog, the pet owner mentioned that she will hold a farewell party on Sunday, May 26 at Flower Kaori, in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City, Japan.
Who was Kabosu, the dog that inspired the Doge meme?
Certainly, Kabosus story is one of the most curious. Atsuko Sato rescued her from a shelter where she was about to be euthanized and adopted her in 2008. Her exact age is a mystery, but it is estimated that she was around 18 years old.
Her owner took pictures of her pets and shared them on her personal blog, but one particular image of the Shiba Inu dog that she uploaded in 2010 caught the internets attention.
In the photograph, the cute dog is seen posing with a curious expression on her face and her paws crossed. The image quickly went viral on Reddit, Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter, cementing the foundation of the meme known as Doge. In 2013, she became the face of the cryptocurrency known as Dogecoin. The digital currency gained prominence in 2021 during the NFT boom, and even Elon Musk used the pets image as a temporary logo for X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Since Kabosu came to my home, a series of miraculous things happened that enriched my life and gifted me with a treasure trove of invaluable moments," her owner commented to the Ashahi Shimbun newspaper in February 2024.
In 2022, Atsuko Sato confirmed that Kabosu was diagnosed with chronic lymphoma leukemia, a type of cancer, and acute cholangitis, a condition that blocks bile flow and causes inflammation in the liver and its surroundings.
In August 2023, Balltze, a dog that inspired the Cheems meme, passed away. Along with Kabosu, they were some of the most recognized pets on the internet.
Rest in peace, Kabosu. Your legacy will remain alive in the hearts of thousands and in the history of the web.
