Internet Icon Kabosu, Doge Meme Inspiration, Dies at 17

Kabosu, the Shiba Inu whose expressive face became synonymous with the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, passed away at the age of 17 on May 24. 

The news was shared by her owner, Atsuko Sato, in a blog post. Kabosu’s peaceful passing marks the end of an era for the meme and crypto communities that she helped shape.

Kabosu first gained widespread attention in 2010 when Sato posted a series of photos of her on her blog. One image, in particular, captured Kabosu’s unique, skeptical expression, which quickly spread across the internet. This image became the foundation of the “Doge” meme, characterized by humorous captions in broken English and Comic Sans font.

By 2013, the popularity of this meme skyrocketed when Dogecoin, a new cryptocurrency, adopted Kabosu’s image as its official logo. Initially created as a joke, Dogecoin soon grew into a player in the crypto market, largely due to Kabosu’s endearing and approachable image. Her influence helped foster a strong sense of community and charitable initiatives within the Dogecoin community.

Kabosu’s Legacy in the Crypto World

Dogecoin’s success, marked by its distinctive logo featuring Kabosu’s face, contributed to the broader acceptance and understanding of cryptocurrencies. The memecoin evolved from its humble beginnings into a substantial digital currency, ranking among the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

Dogecoin’s rise can be attributed not only to the meme culture but also to its active community, which engaged in numerous charitable actions. These included funding clean water projects and supporting the Jamaican bobsled team. Kabosu’s image became a symbol of positivity and goodwill within the cryptocurrency sphere.

The announcement of Kabosu’s passing led to an outpouring of tributes and condolences from fans and the crypto community. Social media platforms were flooded with messages celebrating Kabosu’s life and the joy she brought to millions. Dogecoin’s official X account commemorated her by highlighting her global influence and the happiness she spread.

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.

She was a being who knew only happiness and limitless love.

Please keep her spirit and her family in…

— Dogecoin (@dogecoin) May 24, 2024

In December 2022, Kabosu’s health had become a concern, prompting an outpouring of support from her admirers. Notably, Billy Markus, co-creator of Dogecoin, known as Shibetoshi Nakamoto, urged the community to offer support. This call to action resulted in offers of assistance, demonstrating the deep connection and affection the crypto community held for Kabosu.

Continuing Influence of Kabosu’s Image

Kabosu’s influence even reached the political realm, with her image symbolizing the power of meme culture. The United States President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign underscored this by hiring a “master of memes” to manage digital relationships and meme pages across social media platforms. 

The farewell party for Kabosu, held at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City, on May 26, allowed fans and the community to pay their respects. Atsuko Sato expressed her deep gratitude for the support and love shown to Kabosu over the years, highlighting the profound impact Kabosu had on her life and countless others.

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