The recent passing of Kabosu, the dog behind the famous “doge” meme, has not only affected her owner, Atsuko Sato, but also the entire Dogecoin community. Kabosu, a Japanese shiba inu, rose to internet stardom as the face of the popular cryptocurrency, Dogecoin. Her death on May 24, following a battle with leukaemia and liver disease, marks the end of an era for many crypto enthusiasts and meme lovers alike.
Kabosu’s journey to fame began in 2010 when Sato, a teacher from Sakura, posted a picture of her pet crossing her paws on a sofa. The image quickly went viral on the internet, spreading to platforms like Reddit and inspiring countless memes with quirky phrases in broken English. This led to the creation of an NFT digital artwork that fetched $4 million and served as the inspiration behind Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that started as a joke but now boasts a market capitalization of $23 billion.
The news of Kabosu’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans worldwide, including celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Gene Simmons, and Elon Musk. Musk, known for his playful tweets about Dogecoin, has been a vocal supporter of the cryptocurrency and even changed his Twitter icon to Kabosu’s face at one point. This gesture further solidified the bond between Kabosu and the Dogecoin community, emphasizing the dog’s symbolic role in the world of crypto.
Despite her passing, Kabosu’s legacy lives on through various initiatives dedicated to honoring her memory. Own The Doge, a crypto organization, raised $100,000 to erect a statue of Kabosu and her iconic sofa in a park in Sakura. Additionally, Sato and Own The Doge have made generous donations to international charities, including Save the Children, reflecting the philanthropic spirit that Kabosu inspired.
As the news of Kabosu’s death continues to reverberate across the internet, it serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that animals, memes, and cryptocurrencies can have on our lives. While her physical presence may be gone, Kabosu’s spirit lives on in the hearts of her fans, the growth of Dogecoin, and the lasting contributions she has made to the world of digital art and charity. Rest in peace, Kabosu, the original “doge”.
