Famous Shiba Inu dog behind viral ‘Doge’ meme dies at 18

Kabosu, the famous Japanese Shiba Inu dog behind the viral internet meme “Doge,” has died at the age of 18.

The dog's sideways glance became the face of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin and spread like wildfire on social media in 2013.

Kabosu's owner announced her death in a poem on her blog. “She passed away quietly, as if she had been sleeping while I was petting her,” wrote Atsuko Sato, according to BBC News.

She suffered from leukemia and liver disease and died on Friday, May 24, according to the outlet.

“At 7:50 a.m. I fell into a deep sleep,” the poem continues, according to NBC News and a translation by Agence France-Presse. “I think Kabo-chan was the happiest dog in the world. And I was the happiest owner.”

Sato, a 62-year-old kindergarten teacher from Sakura, told the outlet that she would host a farewell party for her furry friend on Sunday, May 26.

Dogecoin also paid tribute to Kabosu in a post shared on X.

“Today, Kabosu, our community's mutual friend and inspiration, passed away peacefully in the arms of her owner,” the May 24 post began. “The impact this one dog had around the world is immeasurable.”

“She was a being who knew only happiness and boundless love. Please keep her spirit and her family in your heart and, most importantly, carry them with you as her story continues – we are all fortunate that her story has touched and shaped ours.”

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The famous image of Kabosu – taken by Sato in 2010 and shared on her blog – was sold as a non-fungible token, or NFT, for $4 million in 2021, according to NBC News.

According to BBC News, Dogecoin has been backed by people like Snoop Dogg, Gene Simmons and Elon Musk.

Over the years, the iconic meme has been used to comment on world events and pop culture news, while the image also appears on manhole covers in Sato's hometown of Sakura. According to a local media outlet, a bronze statue of the dog was unveiled in the city in November 2023. The Asahi Shimbun.

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According to AFP, Kobuso was diagnosed with leukemia and liver disease in late 2022. Sato told the outlet in a recent interview that the “invisible power” of Kabosu’s fans’ prayers helped her get through it.

Because Kabosu is a rescue puppy, her true age is unknown, but Sato estimated her age to be 18 in February.