Iconic Shiba Inu ‘Cheems’ Passes Away After Battling Cancer

Cheems Balltze, the Shiba Inu whose images eating cheeseburgers went viral, passed away in his sleep on August 18 after a battle with cancer.

At the time of his demise, the dog, also known as “Ball Ball”, was 12 years old.

The Shiba Inu breed in particular is well-known among cryptocurrency users as the premise for tokens such as Shiba Inu and Dogecoin, which are promoted by retail investors and high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, CEO of X.

“Don’t be sad; please remember the joy that Balltze brought to the world,” Cheems wrote on his Instagram account on August 18.

“A Shiba Inu with a round face and a smile connecting you and me, he has helped many people during the pandemic and brought a great deal of happiness to many of you, but now he has completed his mission.”

Cheems, a dog distinct from Kabosu, the dog depicted in the meme on which Dogecoin was based, appeared in shared images alongside the DOGE dog, such as in the meme ‘Swole Doge vs. Cheems’.

In October, Kabosu is expected to turn 18, but he has also been experiencing significant health issues. The Doge meme went viral in 2013, prompting Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer to create the token in the same year.

Crypto users, including members of the Dogecoin Foundation, expressed condolences for the passing of Cheems and wished Kabosu continued health.

Animal memes, ranging from cats to dolphins, have frequently served as inspiration for token initiatives in the crypto space since its inception.

In some instances, animal shelters have accepted DOGE and other cryptocurrencies to promote the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs.