Kabosu, the Shiba Inu who became famous as the face of the “Doge” meme and the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, passed away peacefully on May 24 at the age of 17.
Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Sato, shared the sad news on her official blog, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the love and support Kabosu received over the years. Sato announced a farewell party for “Kabo-chan” to be held on May 26 at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City.
Fans and the crypto community have been sharing their condolences and favorite memories of Kabosu, who became an internet icon. Kabosu’s image has become a lasting symbol of community spirit within the crypto world and meme culture.
Kabosu first gained fame in 2010 when Sato posted photos of her on her blog. A particular image of Kabosu with a skeptical and curious look quickly went viral, creating the “Doge” meme. This image, with phrases in broken English and Comic Sans font, became a staple of internet culture.
In 2013, Dogecoin was created, using Kabosu’s image as its logo, and the meme’s popularity soared. Although initially intended as a joke, Dogecoin grew into a well-known cryptocurrency, funding various charitable causes like clean water projects and the Jamaican bobsled team.
In December 2022, Sato informed the community that Kabosu’s health was in a critical state, prompting immense support from the crypto community. Dogecoin co-creator Billy Markus, also known as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, encouraged his followers to show support, with one user offering to cover any medical expenses for Kabosu.
Kabosu’s influence extended beyond crypto, even impacting political campaigns. For instance, President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign hired a “master of memes” to manage relationships with digital media companies and meme pages on social media platforms, highlighting the meme’s significant cultural impact.
May 2024, Cryptoniteuae
