The internet is a vast and ever-evolving landscape, but some things manage to transcend the fleeting trends. The Doge meme features a Shiba Inu dog with a curious look and phrases like “much wow” and “so doge.” It is easily recognizable and popular on the internet. But behind the meme lies a real dog with a story – Kabosu.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the life of Kabosu, the Shiba Inu who stole the internet’s heart and became the face of Doge. Let’s explore her journey from a rescued pup to a viral sensation, the impact of the Doge meme, and the legacy she leaves behind.
From Shelter Dog to Smiling Star: Kabosu dog’s Early Life
Named after a citrus Japanese fruit, Kaboosu chan was was born in a puppy mill, known for bad breeding conditions. Luckily, Kabosu and her siblings were saved by a group called Chiban and put up for adoption. In 2008, Atsuko Sato, a Japanese kindergarten teacher, found her forever home. Sato instantly fell in love with Kabosu’s playful personality and what she described as her “permanently bewildered expression.”
The Birth of a Meme: Kabosu Goes Viral
In 2010, Sato uploaded a picture of Kabosu tilting her head with a raised eyebrow to her personal blog. This seemingly ordinary photo sparked a global phenomenon. The image was picked up by various online communities, with users adding captions in broken English to convey a sense of amusement and lightheartedness. The term “Doge,” a misspelling of “dog” with a long internet history, became synonymous with the meme.
The Doge meme spread like wildfire across social media platforms like Tumblr and Reddit. They actually started on a blog called Shiba Confessions. The word “Doge,” even though it’s misspelled, goes back all the way to 2005 from a cartoon show, Homestar Runner’s puppet series. Its popularity soared thanks to its relatable humor and unique visual style. Celebrities like Elon Musk joined the bandwagon, further propelling the meme into the mainstream spotlight.
The Doge meme: Beyond the Laughs
The meme typically featured humorous captions in broken English, often portraying the thoughts of Kabosu and other Shiba Inu dogs. The image’s popularity extended beyond memes, inspiring a digital artwork that sold for millions and even a cryptocurrency – Dogecoin. Born out of a playful jab at the cryptocurrency craze in 2013, Dogecoin became the first meme-inspired digital currency.
Created by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, Dogecoin featured the instantly recognizable face of Kabosu, the Doge meme dog, as its mascot. Despite its humorous beginnings, Dogecoin quickly gained traction and a dedicated online following.
Kabosu’s image transcended language barriers, uniting people worldwide with a shared sense of amusement. The meme’s enduring popularity serves as a testament to the power of relatable humor and the internet’s ability to create overnight sensations.
Dogecoin gained serious traction with a little help from big names like Snoop Dogg and Gene Simmons, but the real champion was Elon Musk. His jokes about Dogecoin on social media fueled its popularity. By May 2021, it had even reached an impressive market value of over US$85 billion, solidifying its position as the first – and perhaps most famous – “meme coin” in the crypto world.
Kabosu became famous on the internet and has a statue in her hometown of Sakura, Japan. The statue of Kabosu, unveiled in December 2023, shows Kabosu sitting on a stone sofa in a regal pose. Funded by dogecoin fans through a crowdfunding campaign, the statue shows Kabosu chilling on a fancy stone sofa, just like in the meme. It’s a permanent reminder of this Shiba pup’s internet stardom, and a popular spot for fans to visit.
See also: Statue imagines Hachiko’s reunion with his human
More Than Just a Meme: Remembering Kabosu
Kabosu’s owner and dogecoin fans donated over $1 million to Save the Children. The statue in Sakura Furusato Hiroba riverside park is a popular tourist spot for fans worldwide. The sculptures of Atsuko Sato’s three cats highlight the significance of cats in internet meme culture.
Kabosu got sick with leukemia and liver disease in late 2022. Her owner, Ms. Sato, told AFP that all the love and support from fans around the world really helped Kabosu get through it. Ms. Sato, who is 62, is used to amazing things happening because of Kabosu’s fame. Elon Musk, the famous tech billionaire, changed his Twitter icon to a picture of Kabosu last year. She wasn’t very surprised by this.
Kabosu passed away peacefully in May 2024, surrounded by love. Her owner, Atsuko Sato, paid tribute to her beloved companion, highlighting Kabosu’s positive impact and the joy she brought to millions. Her age was unknown, but her owner celebrated her 18th on Nov 2nd. A farewell party for “Kabo-chan” will be held on May 26th in Narita, Japan
“Outside the window, birds were singing on a beautiful morning. As I was touching her, she gently passed away. I think she was the happiest dog in the world.”
The Japanese shiba inu “fell into a deep sleep”, Atsuko Sato wrote in a blog post.
Kabosu’s legacy extends beyond the Doge meme. She serves as a reminder of the special bond between humans and animals and the power of a single image to spark global joy. Her story reminds us that even the most ordinary moments can spark extraordinary connections.