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Kabosu, the beloved Shiba Inu dog who rose to fame as the face of the “Doge” meme, passed away on May 24, 2024, at the estimated age of 18. Her owner, Atsuko Sato, shared the heartbreaking news on her blog, describing Kabosu’s peaceful passing and expressing gratitude to her fans for their support.
Kabosu’s journey to internet stardom began when Sato, a Japanese kindergarten teacher, rescued her from a puppy mill and started posting pictures of her on her personal blog in 2010. Among these photos was the iconic image of Kabosu sitting on a couch, staring sideways at the camera with raised eyebrows, which became synonymous with the “Doge” meme.
The “Doge” meme format typically featured Kabosu’s photo overlaid with broken English phrases written in colorful Comic Sans font, such as “wow,” “such fun,” and “much noble.” This meme quickly gained popularity and became a staple of internet culture.
In addition to her influence on memes, Kabosu inspired the creation of the cryptocurrency “Dogecoin” in 2013, which gained a following among crypto enthusiasts. Dogecoin’s success even caught the attention of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who expressed his fondness for the cryptocurrency.
Kabosu’s impact on internet culture was further solidified when Musk changed Twitter’s logo to a photo of her in 2023 after acquiring the platform. Sato reflected on the remarkable events surrounding Kabosu’s life, describing them as “unbelievable.”
Kabosu’s legacy as an internet icon and beloved pet will live on, bringing joy and laughter to countless people around the world. Rest in peace, Kabosu. Such wow, indeed.