LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The world is mourning the loss of Cheems, the beloved meme dog who captured the hearts of millions with his iconic quizzical expression.
The news of Cheems' passing has left fans devastated, as he died at 12 after falling asleep during cancer surgery.
His owner shared the heartbreaking update on Cheems' Instagram page, revealing that the procedure took place on Friday afternoon, August 18, and the resilient dog failed to wake up.
Cheems, known for his heartwarming and humorous presence across various social media platforms, shot to stardom in 2017 when an endearing photograph of him went viral, showcasing his trademark puzzled gaze.
The world quickly fell in love with his round smiling face and carefree disposition.
What breed of dog was Cheems?
Cheems was a Shiba Inu. The breed is known for its spirited nature and distinctive appearance and traces its origins to ancient Japan where it was once utilized as a skilled hunter.
Despite its diminutive size, the Shiba Inu boasts a well-muscled build, making it a versatile companion both in urban and rural settings.
Having become increasingly popular in the West in recent years, these dogs continue to capture hearts with their unique combination of white markings and colored fur.
In the wake of Cheems' death, his owners took to Instagram to pay tribute to their beloved furry friend. In a heartfelt post, they conveyed the news of Cheems' death and spoke of their initial plans for his ongoing treatment.
"Ball Ball fell asleep on 18/8. He fell asleep on Friday morning during his last thoracentesis surgery," they wrote, adding, "Originally, we wanted to arrange chemotherapy or other possible treatment for him after this operation, but it is too late now."
"Don't be sad, please remember the joy that Balltze brought to the world," they continued.
They futher stated, "A Shiba Inu with a round smiling face connecting you and me, he has helped many people during the pandemic and brought a lot of joy to many of you, but now his mission has completed."
"I believe he is running freely in the sky and having a lot of delicious food with his new friends. He will always be inside my heart. I hope he can continue to bring joy to everyone in the online world, that's my only humble request," the post read.
Amid their loss, they extended their gratitude to the medical professionals who had been part of Cheems' cancer battle for the past six months.
"All of you have been very generous and helpful, and I'm truly grateful to all of you, your love and support to Ball Ball is so unconditional and I found that is the purest love in the world, having Ball Ball in my life is the best thing ever happened," they added.
Cheems' owners announced their intention to donate the funds that had been raised for his care to local animal charities.
Tributes pour in for Cheems
Fans responded with an outpouring of support, expressing condolences and sharing their memories of Cheems.
The post garnered over 540,000 likes from around the world, with fans expressing their sadness over the passing of this internet icon.
One user tweeted, "Balltze, aka Cheems, has left us. This funny yellow dog brought joy to so many. We will miss you."
Another person reflected, "Rest in peace, Balltze. You will go down in history and live on through your memes forever."
Someone else wrote, "RIP cheems. You gave us so many smiles. Many tears. Is it bad that I'm more upset about his death than most people I've met?"
Cheems' impact extended beyond the digital realm, as fans and artists paid homage to him through various forms of creative expression.
A painting shared by an admirer, crafted in gouache and dating back to 2019, underscored the lasting impact this furry friend had on their lives.
The artist wrote, "I'm so sad the Cheems dog died Here is a painting I did of you in gouache from 2019, that's before I even started drawing cats. Rest easy, Balltze."
