Kabosu Dies: Beloved Shiba Inu Who Gained Fame As Doge Meme Was 18

kabosumama/Instagram

Kabosu, the Shiba Inu dog whose beaming countenance launched the ubiquitous “doge” meme and became the face of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, died peacefully Friday at home in Sakura, a city east of Tokyo. She was 18.

Kabosu’s death was announced on social media by owner Atsuko Sato, who wrote, “To all of you who loved Kabosu, On the morning of the 24th of May, Kabosu crossed the rainbow bridge. Thank you all so much for your support over the years. She went very peacefully without suffering, as if falling asleep while feeling the warmth of my hands petting her.

“Thank you all so much for loving Kabosu all these years,” Sato continued. “I am certain that Kabosu was the happiest dog in the world. That makes me the happiest owner in the world. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to everyone who has sent us much love to us.”

Kabosu was adopted by Sato, a kindgergarten teacher, in 2008 after a Shiba Inu breeder went out of business and sent its dogs to a shelter. When Sato began posting photos of Kabosu on social media, followers quickly embraced the dog’s happy grin and laughing eyes. With fans soon ascribing two-word descriptions to the photos – “Much awake!” or “Such wow!”, Kabosu’s internet reputation was assured.

In fact, Kabosu’s face became so connected with what became known as the “doge” meme that a Shiba Inu likeness was adopted for the logo of the cryptocurrency coin Dogecoin that made millionaires of investors in 2021 before losing steam.

One photo of Kabosu, in particular, caught public imagination: Head cocked, eyes looking directly into a camera lens, eyebrows seemingly peaked, Kabosu’s grinning expression is the Mona Lisa of memes, inscrutable and open to any number of interpretations.

In a 2013 interview, Sato said that Kabosu was named while at the shelter after a round Japanese citrus. “I thought the name was perfect, so I kept it,” Sato said.

A farewell party for Kabosu is scheduled for Sunday in Narita.