Shiba Inu famous for Doge meme dies

Kabosu, an 18-year-old Shiba Inu died, her owner announced
The dog inspired the Doge meme and Dogecoin cryptocurrency
Her owner is holding a farewell party in Japan on Sunday

Updated: May 24, 2024 / 10:40 AM EDT

This mobile phone app screen shot shows the logo for Dogecoin, in New York, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Dogecoin, the digital currency advertised as the one “favored by Shiba Inus worldwide,” is having its day. Fans of the cryptocurrency are touting April 20, long an unofficial holiday for marijuana devotees, as “Doge Day” and imploring each other to get its value up to $1. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

(NewsNation) — A Japanese dog who inspired an internet meme and became the face (and name) of a cryptocurrency has died at the age of 18.

Owner Atsuko Sato announced Kabosu, a Shiba Inu, had crossed the rainbow bridge on her blog, letting fans know the elderly canine died peacefully in the company of her owner.

Sato rescued Kabosu from a breeder, saving her from being put to sleep. Her exact age isn’t known, but she was estimated to be around 18. The average lifespan for a Shiba Inu is 13-16 years, giving Kabosu a longer-than-usual life.

The dog became internet famous after Sato shared a photo of the dog on a sofa, eyebrows raised and a mischievous expression on her face. She became the subject of the Doge meme, which spawned a linguistic style of its own, featuring grammatically incorrect two-word phrases like “so amaze” or “much wow.”

Kabosu also became the phase of Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency initially launched as a joke. The coin’s rise made millionaires after an unexpected rise and is still in use and backed by big names including Snoop Dogg and Elon Musk.

Fans also crowd-funded money to install a statue in a park in Sakura, Japan, featuring Kabosu on her famous sofa (along with three cats who Kabosu lived with). Her birthday, Nov. 2, is also celebrated by fans as Doge Day.

Sato, who called Kabosu the “happiest dog in the world” is holding a farewell party for the beloved pet in Narita, Japan, on Sunday.