Viral dog Kabosu, who inspired the ‘Doge’ meme DogeCoin, dies at 18: owner

The internet-famous dog behind the iconic “Doge” meme has died, according to a statement posted Friday on the dog’s official Instagram account, run by his owner Atsuko Sato.

“To everyone who loved Kabosu. On the morning of May 24, Kabosu crossed the rainbow bridge,” the statement said in Japanese and English. “Thank you all for your support over the years.”

Kabosu, a Shiba Inu, went viral in 2013 after a photo of the light golden-brown dog with his inscrutable expression was shared on Sato's blog. Internet users quickly dubbed Kabosu “Doge,” and photos of Kabosu were shared along with short phrases, often in broken English, and reaction words like “wow,” meant to illustrate what a dog's inner monologue would hypothetically say.

Kabosu even inspired the launch of the cryptocurrency DogeCoin in December 2013.

According to Sato, Kabosu, whom she also called Kabo-chan, was 18 years old and Sato took care of her for nearly 16 years. They lived in Chiba Prefecture, southeast of Tokyo, Japan.

“She passed away peacefully and without suffering, as if she had fallen asleep while feeling the warmth of my caressing hands,” Sato wrote. “Thank you all for loving Kabosu all these years. I am sure Kabosu was the luckiest dog in the world. This makes me the luckiest owner in the world.”

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has sent us so much love,” Sato added.