The famous Shiba Inu who inspired the “Doge” meme was diagnosed with leukemia and liver disease

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Kabosu, the 17-year-old internet sensation who created the “Doge” meme and Dogecoin, has been diagnosed with leukemia and liver disease.

The pup’s owner, Atsuko Sato, posted an update video on her health on Instagram. It includes footage of Kabosu lying on the floor of her home, eating and drinking while wrapped in blankets, and walking around her living room with a slight limp. Sato ended the video with a shot of her resting with Kabosu and her cat.

In her caption, she wrote: “Kabosu’s diseases are acute cholangiohepatitis and chronic lymphoma leukemia. Currently, his liver function is very poor and he is developing jaundice.”

She added that there is hope for recovery, saying that “antibiotics will definitely improve (her health condition)” and that Kabosu has regained her “appetite” and “can also drink water.”

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In a post the day before, Sato had noted that she would take Kabosu to the hospital for a check-up because she had stopped drinking and eating on Christmas Eve.

“To all those who are concerned, thank you😊,” she said.

Thousands of comments flooded the post, wishing the Shiba Inu well. One commenter said, “Wishing strength to the family and a pain-free process for Kabosu. We love you, Doge. You shaped an entire era and generation on the internet. Good luck!” Another said, “Kabosu, the world is rooting for you.”

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In 2010, Sato posted a picture of Kabosu lying on her stomach with her paws crossed and giving the camera a knowing look. The picture went viral on several websites, including Reddit and Tumblr, along with text that depicted the dog’s inner monologue as she imagined it.

A few years later, in 2013, the meme inspired the creation of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin. The viral image of Kabosu became the representative image of the cryptocurrency and is considered the first cryptocurrency “meme coin,” according to CNN.

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Sato said she was still overwhelmed by the far-reaching impact of Kabosu’s image, writing on Instagram last year: “Never in my life could I have imagined the impact my photo shoot of Kabosu would have on the internet.”

“It’s a moment that has evolved over the last decade and taken on a life of its own,” she added, “being shared millions of times and spawning an entire community around the Doge meme.