The Shiba Inu rescue dog who became an internet sensation and helped inspire a cryptocurrency has died.
Kabosu was 18.
She “fell into a deep sleep this morning and passed away peacefully,” owner Atsuko Sato posted on social media platform X.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday.
Kabosu, who was immortalized on manhole covers and in a statue during her lifetime, became famous in 2010 after a photo of her with a mocking expression went viral on the Internet.
Her image spread far and wide, and the captions accompanying her mischievous grin became much loved.
She is also the face of dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that was initially created as a joke but now has a market cap of $22.9 billion, and her likeness was sold as a non-fungible token in 2021 for a record-breaking $4 million.
In response to news of her death, fans online are memorializing her likeness in art and memes.
“Kabosu, the shared friend and inspiration of our community, passed away peacefully in her arms. The impact this one dog has made around the world is immeasurable. She was a being who knew only happiness and boundless love,” Dogecoin said in a statement about X.
