Kabosu, the shiba inu dog made famous by internet memes, has passed away, as confirmed by her owner Atsuko Sato. The iconic image of Kabosu, with her signature quizzical expression, went viral in 2013 and became known as “doge.” Sato shared the news of Kabosu’s passing in a touching poem on her blog, announcing a farewell party in honor of the beloved dog. The image of Kabosu has been widely shared on social media and was even the face of a cryptocurrency. In 2021, an NFT of the dog’s image was sold for $4 million.
Dogecoin paid tribute to Kabosu, praising her as a being that only knew happiness and limitless love. The doge meme was often shared with colorful captions in broken English, meant to depict the dog’s internal thoughts. This meme was adapted by people to comment on various topics, including world events, pop culture, and political issues. In 2014, a public transport authority in Sweden even used the meme for an advertising campaign, showcasing captions like “such cheap” and “wow.”
Sakura, the city in Japan where Kabosu and her owner reside, has embraced the shiba inu as its mascot. The image of Kabosu has been featured on manhole covers, and a bronze statue of the dog was erected earlier this year, funded by donations from fans worldwide. Sato revealed that Kabosu was a rescue dog who was once close to being put down. Despite her unknown age, Sato shared that Kabosu had brought many miraculous moments into her life since joining her family.
The famous image of Kabosu was captured in 2010 and uploaded to Sato’s blog, where it remains accessible online. Sato mentioned in an interview in 2020 that there was nothing particularly special about the picture, as she often took photos of Kabosu who enjoyed having her picture taken. Despite the fame that Kabosu attained on the internet, Sato admitted that she still didn’t fully understand why her pet became so popular. Kabosu was diagnosed with leukemia and liver disease in 2020, marking the beginning of her health struggles.
The passing of Kabosu has undoubtedly left a void for her owner and fans around the world who have come to know and love the shiba inu through her internet presence. Despite her relatively short life span, Kabosu made a lasting impact through her role as the face of the doge meme and her ability to bring joy and laughter to people worldwide. The legacy of Kabosu as a beloved internet sensation and symbol of happiness and love will continue to live on in the hearts of those who admired her.
