Iconic Dogecoin Mascot And Meme Legend Kabosu, A Shiba Inu Dog, Passes Away In Japan

Updated: 24 May 2024

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Kabosu, the legendary Shiba Inu dog who became the face of meme coin Dogecoin (DOGE), passed away peacefully today in Japan at about 18 years old.

Atsuko Sato, Kabosu’s owner, announced the news in a May 24 post on her official blog. She also expressed her deep gratitude for the overwhelming love and support the crypto community has shown towards Kabosu over the years.

A farewell party for the beloved canine will be held at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City on May 26.

“Today Kabosu, our community’s shared friend and inspiration, peacefully passed in the arms of her person,” said the official Dogecoin account on X. “The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable.”

The Dogecoin price itself seemed downbeat on the news, plunging more than 3% to trade at $0.1616 as of 7.32 a.m. EST. Shiba Inu (SHIB) seemingly plunged in sympathy, too, with a 5.5% loss to trade at $0.00002422.

Today Kabosu, our community's shared friend and inspiration, peacefully passed in the arms of her person. The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable.

She was a being who knew only happiness and limitless love.

Please keep her spirit and her family in…

— Dogecoin (@dogecoin) May 24, 2024

The Birth Of A Viral Internet Sensation

Kabosu first entered the public’s spotlight in 2010 after Sato posted photos of her newly-adopted dog on her blog. It was one specific image of Kabosu fashioning an expression which can only be described as a sense of skepticism mixed with curiosity that went viral.

On November 2nd 15 years ago, we welcomed Kabosu to our family.
I still remember her on the first day she came home. She was scared, sitting in the corner of the room, motionless and silent. She simply stared at me with those big round eyes. pic.twitter.com/4miYReNemr

— かぼすママ (@kabosumama) November 4, 2023

This image gave birth to the “Doge” meme. Accompanied with phrases in broken English, this picture became a cornerstone of internet culture. By 2013, the meme’s popularity was enough to make it the official logo of Dogecoin, the world’s biggest meme coin and and eighth-biggest crypto with a market capitalization of $23.3 billion

It did not take long for Dogecoin to evolve beyond its humorous origins, with the crypto responsible for several charitable initiatives. This includes providing funding to various clean water projects, while also sponsoring the Jamaican bobsled team.

Dogecoin Community Shows Their Love For Kabosu

Many in the Web3 community have expressed their condolences for Kabosu, who inspired the creation of the leading meme coin and led to the subsequent birth of the lighthearted crypto sector.

After Sato said in 2022 that Kabosu’s health deteriorated to “a dangerous” point, the Dogecoin community stepped in to show their support.

doge (kabosu) is sick 🙁 please send her and @kabosumama your ❤️ and 🙏 and good vibes ~ pic.twitter.com/8IqnYWFhWN

— Shibetoshi Nakamoto (@BillyM2k) December 26, 2022

Billy Markus, the co-creator of Dogecoin, had asked his followers to show their love and give “good vibes” to Kabosu and Sato. Another X user even offered to cover all of the expenses needed to make sure Kabosu “gets the best treatment.”

With the canine behind the Doge meme passing, investors could now look to purchase Dogecoin and other DOGE-inspired meme coins presales for solace and in tribute to Kabosu.

Aside from Dogecoin itself, the hottest DOGE derivative right now is the presale meme coin Dogeverse, a multi-chain DOGE derivative that has raised the staggering sum of more than $15 million. It is now offering a last chance to buy before listing in early June.