The internet can breathe a sigh of relief; the charming Shiba Inu Kabosu, who rose to fame as the face of Dogecoin, is very much alive. Contrary to the swirling rumors of her demise, Kabosu recently celebrated her 18th birthday in the Japanese city of Sakura.
It appears she was mistaken for Baltz (Chims), another well-known meme dog who unfortunately passed away in the summer of 2023.
Kabosu’s journey began in 2005, spending her early years in a Shiba Inu breeding facility. In 2008, as the breeder closed shop and sent the dogs to a shelter, Atsuko stepped in. She rescued Kabosu and 19 others, finding them all loving homes, but kept Kabosu, the eldest, for herself.
DOGE facilitated fundraising for the Jamaican bobsleigh team, a Nascar racing car, contributions to the American Cancer Society, and supported clean water initiatives in Kenya.
At 18, Kabosu is no spring chicken – that’s around 90 in human years! Her owner, Atsuko Sato, a primary school teacher, lovingly presented Kabosu to a throng of bloggers for photographs.
Kabosu and her owner. Source: Instagram
But what’s the story behind the real-life Shiba Inu, not just her virtual fame as the doge meme and cryptocurrency muse?
Behind the Scenes with Dogecoin’s Star
You can peek into Kabosu's off-screen life on her owner’s Instagram. Atsuko, far removed from the crypto buzz, shares that few people know just how famous her pet is. For her, the joy lies simply in the love and care for Kabosu.
Kabosu’s journey began in 2005, spending her early years in a Shiba Inu breeding facility. In 2008, as the breeder closed shop and sent the dogs to a shelter, Atsuko stepped in. She rescued Kabosu and 19 others, finding them all loving homes, but kept Kabosu, the eldest, for herself.
The name ‘Dogecoin’ symbolizes more than the digital currency; it’s inspired by the Japanese citrus fruit resembling Kabosu’s round face.
The meme originated in 2010 after Atsuko's husband posted a picture of Kabosu on his blog. Captivated by Kabosu’s expressive demeanor, a Californian named John reposted the image on Reddit, turning it into an instant viral sensation.
The photo that sparked the DOGE phenomenon. Source: r/doge
Then came the milestones everyone knows:
- The creation of Dogecoin by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, injecting humor into cryptocurrency;
- DOGE coin's meteoric rise, partly fueled by Elon Musk's endorsement;
- The birth of a vibrant Dogecoin community, renowned for its philanthropic endeavors.
Yet, despite her pet's fame, Kabosu's owner has never cashed in on it. She even sold the iconic couch from the viral photo to an anonymous buyer, donating all proceeds to charity.
Interestingly, that couch now resides at the headquarters of X (formerly Twitter) in San Francisco.
Now, the famous meme dog enjoys her days surrounded by love and respect. Tragically, she's been diagnosed with leukemia. Kabosu spends most of her time on a garden sunbed, struggling with mobility, subsisting on liquid food, and being lovingly cared for by Atsuko's family and her feline companions, who've become almost like siblings.
In tribute to the Shiba Inu that symbolizes not just a digital coin but the spirit of human kindness, Sakura city has erected a monument: the famous couch with the beloved dog, flanked by her animal friends.
Kabosu's Memorial. Source: Medium.com
Kabosu's story is a heartwarming reminder of how an ordinary dog can become an international icon and inspire a global movement of altruism and community support.
