In a touching gesture, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences for the passing of Kabochan, the beloved Shiba Inu dog that inspired the iconic Dogecoin meme.

The news of Kabochan's passing was shared by her owner, Atsuko Sato, who announced that Kabosu had peacefully passed away in her sleep. Sato described the serene final moments of Kabosu's life, with sunlight streaming through the window and birds singing, marking the end of the dog's joyful journey. Buterin responded to Sato's announcement with a simple yet heartfelt message on his X account: "Rest in Peace Kabochan."

Kabosu, affectionately known as "Kabochan" by fans, held a special place in internet culture and the cryptocurrency community. Her iconic quizzical expression became the face of the Doge meme, sparking a global phenomenon and inspiring the creation of Dogecoin, now the eighth-most valuable cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of $22.88 billion.

Rescued from a puppy mill by Atsuko Sato, a kindergarten teacher in Sakura, Japan, Kabosu's journey began in 2005. Her meme became an internet sensation in 2013, spreading joy and laughter worldwide. Kabochan's passing has deeply resonated across social media, with tributes pouring in from the Dogecoin community, known as "Shibes," and the broader crypto community.

The official Dogecoin X account also paid homage to Kabosu, acknowledging her as a cherished friend and inspiration for the community. Similarly, the Dogecoin Foundation expressed its condolences, recognizing Kabosu's significant impact with the words, "Rest in peace, dear Kabosu, beloved Doge. You were very much wow."