Doge Meme Icon and Dogecoin Mascot Kabosu Passes Away at 18
By Harvey Hunter
May 24, 2024 18:34 EDT
Communities across the internet are taking a moment to remember Kabosu, the beloved dog behind the iconic Doge meme and mascot of Dogecoin, who passed away at the age of 18 on May 25.
Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Sato, shared the news in a heartfelt post on her official blog, expressing her deep gratitude for the love and support she has received over the years.
The passing of Kabosu followed an announcement in 2022 about her declining health. However, Sato assured that her beloved pet passed away peacefully, without any suffering.
“As the soft light streamed in through the window on this beautiful morning filled with the songs of birds, she gently passed away, as if falling asleep, while I stroked her,” Sato said.
Sato also announced a farewell gathering in honor of “Kabo-chan,” which will take place on May 26 at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City.
The news of Kabosu’s passing has resonated throughout the internet, bringing together pop culture, meme culture, and crypto culture to mourn the loss. Kabosu has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of the internet.
Doge’s History: From Meme, to Crypto, to Legend
Kabosu first captured widespread attention in 2010 when Sato shared photos of her adopted dog on her blog. One particular image of Kabosu, showcasing her skeptical and curious expression, quickly went viral and gave birth to the “Doge” meme phenomenon.
This single image, accompanied by broken English phrases, became a cornerstone of early meme culture.
In 2013, the meme’s popularity skyrocketed after the creation of Dogecoin, which adopted Kabosu’s image as its official logo.
Despite its initial nature as a joke, Dogecoin gained popularity as a cryptocurrency and became involved in various charitable endeavors, including funding clean water projects and supporting the Jamaican bobsled team.
This also paved the way for other popular meme coins in the crypto space, many of which adopted the Shiba Inu as their mascot as a tribute to the original meme that started the trend.
In 2023, the original Doge image was minted as an NFT and sold for 1,696 ETH, equivalent to $4 million.
Since then, the NFT has been divided into billions of smaller units for fractional ownership.
Kabosu’s influence even reached political campaigns, as United States President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign recently announced the hiring of a “master of memes” on May 23.
The Crypto Community Pays Tribute to Kabo
The crypto community and fans of Kabosu have expressed their condolences, sharing tributes and their favorite memories of the dog who became an internet legend.
The official Shiba Inu token, a competitor to Dogecoin, tweeted a heartfelt tribute, highlighting Kabosu’s impact on the world of crypto.
When news of her declining health was announced, Dogecoin co-creator Billy Markus called upon his followers to show support. This led to one user offering to cover any expenses necessary to ensure Kabosu received the best treatment.
Kabosu’s legacy as the face of crypto culture will continue to symbolize community spirit and inspire future generations of meme enthusiasts.
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