Image credit: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images

Disclaimer: This story was originally published on May 24, 2024.

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Kabosu, the Shiba Inu who served as the iconic face of the popular “Doge” meme and the Dogecoin (DOGE) meme coin, passed away on the morning of May 24 at the age of 18, its owner disclosed in a blog post.

“Today, Kabosu, our community’s shared friend and inspiration, peacefully passed, in the arms of her person. The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable,” Dogecoin’s official X account wrote.

Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Satō, wrote in her blog that there would be a memorial gathering at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City on May 26.

Crypto community members and netizens alike have expressed their condolences, sharing tributes to the famed dog that became an internet sensation.

Kabosu first caught the eye of the internet when her owner shared pictures of the Shiba Inu on her personal blog back in 2010. It was one particular photo of Kabosu, where she looked both quizzical and skeptical, that caught the fancy of netizens. This image swiftly spread across social media platforms, sparking the creation of the “Doge” meme. The photo typically comes with colorful text in Comic Sans font, capturing humorous, misspelled thoughts that appeared to reflect Kabosu’s internal monologue.

The meme skyrocketed in popularity and by late 2013, it had been welcomed as a significant element of internet folklore. The meme also saw the birth of Dogecoin. The crypto adopted Kabosu’s likeness for its logo, further cementing her status as an internet celebrity.

In December 2022, Satō shared on social media that Kabosu was facing a health crisis, describing the beloved dog’s condition as “dangerous.” This sparked support from the crypto community, including Dogecoin co-creator Billy Markus.