Kabosu, a Shiba Inu who became famous for her iconic “much wow” face that helped popularize the Doge meme and inspired the creation of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, passed away at the age of 18. Her owner, Atsuko Sato, announced her peaceful passing on social media, revealing that Kabosu died while being petted by Ms. Sato. Kabosu’s journey to internet stardom began in 2010 when a photo of her with raised eyebrows and a knowing expression went viral, sparking a wave of memes and online jokes. The round-faced Shiba Inu’s image was widely used in various forms, from lawmakers using it to express discontent to fans of the meme creating their own spinoffs.
Kabosu’s likeness eventually found its way into the world of cryptocurrency when it was adopted as the logo for Dogecoin, a digital currency introduced as a joke in 2013. Despite starting as a humorous project, Dogecoin gained popularity and made some investors wealthy before experiencing a decline. Throughout her time in the spotlight, Kabosu remained laid back and gentle, with a calm temperament that endeared her to fans. Her owner, Ms. Sato, described Kabosu as loving to be photographed and having a gentle demeanor that made her well-suited for her role as an internet sensation. Despite health issues in her later years, Kabosu continued to be adored by her hundreds of thousands of online followers and celebrated on her birthday, known as “Doge day.”
The story of Kabosu’s rise to fame began when she was adopted from an animal shelter by Ms. Sato in 2008 after her breeder went out of business. Sent to the shelter with other Shiba Inu dogs, Kabosu quickly settled into her new home and began appearing in photos on Ms. Sato’s blog. It was a particular photo of Kabosu in 2010 that captured the attention of internet users and led to her becoming the face of the Doge meme. The meme featured Kabosu’s expressive face paired with humorous text in comic sans font, creating a unique form of internet communication that resonated with a wide audience.
In addition to her role as a meme icon, Kabosu’s image was also used in various remixes and adaptations, including photoshopped versions that featured Nicolas Cage’s face or showed her body on a loaf of bread. Despite the unconventional use of her likeness, Kabosu remained unfazed by the attention and continued to live a happy and fulfilling life with Ms. Sato and her three cat siblings. As news of Kabosu’s passing spread, fans and followers expressed their condolences and remembered her as a beloved internet celebrity who brought joy to people around the world. Kabosu’s legacy as a symbol of humor and positivity lives on in the memes and jokes she inspired, ensuring that she will be remembered fondly for years to come.
