Crypto icon Kabosu, the Doge meme dog, passes away at 18

Update May 24, 2:15 pm UTC: This article has been updated to correct the age of Kabosu.

Kabosu, the Shiba Inu who captured the hearts of millions as the face of the legendary “Doge” meme and the Dogecoin memecoin, passed away peacefully on May 24. The dog's owner believed she was around 18 years old.

Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Sato, announced the news in a post on her official blog, expressing her deep gratitude for the love and support shown to Kabosu over the years. Sato explained that there would be a farewell party at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City, held for “Kabo-chan” on May 26.

The crypto community and fans of Kabosu have expressed their condolences, sharing tributes and some favorite memories of the dog that became an internet legend.

Kabosu’s legacy as the face of crypto culture — and Dogecoin DOGEUSD — will continue to symbolize community spirit and inspire future generations of meme culture.

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Kabosu first gained attention in 2010 when Sato posted photos of her adopted dog on her blog. One specific image of Kabosu, showing a skeptical and curious expression, quickly went viral, giving birth to the “Doge” meme.

This single image, accompanied by phrases in broken English and Comic Sans font, became a cornerstone of internet culture.

By 2013, the popularity of the foundational meme surged after Dogecoin was created, using Kabosu’s image as its official logo.

Despite being intended initially as a joke, Dogecoin developed into a popular cryptocurrency responsible for several charitable initiatives, including clean water projects and funding for the Jamaican bobsled team.

In December 2022, Sato informed the community that Kabosu was in a “dangerous position” healthwise, which sparked overwhelming support from the crypto community.

This included co-creator of Dogecoin Billy Markus, known as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, asking his followers to send support, leading to one X user offering to cover “any expenses needed to make sure she gets the best treatment.”

Kabosu’s impact has influenced even political campaigns, which is fundamental to the meme movement. For example, United States President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign announced hiring a “master of memes.”

According to the official job description, the main task of the role would be to manage relationships with digital media companies, podcasts and several meme pages spread across social media platforms.