• Source:JND
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Cheems, the Shiba Inu dog who became a global sensation for his mischievous look, died on Saturday morning following his last thoracentesis surgery. He was diagnosed with leukaemia (a type of cancer) in December 2022 and had been undergoing treatment ever since. His owners announced the sad news on social media, asking his fans to remember the joy that Cheems brought to the world. 

The owner of the dog said that the dog had completed his mission of helping many people during the pandemic and was now running free in the sky.

“Do not be sad, please remember the joy that Balltze brought to the world. A Shiba Inu with a round smiley face that connects you and me, he has helped many people during the pandemic and brought much joy to many of you, but now his mission is complete. I think he is running free in the sky and eating a lot of delicious food with his new friends,” the statement by the owners said.

Cheems, whose real name was Balltze, was adopted by a loving family from Hong Kong when he was just one year old. He gained fame when a 2010 photograph went viral and became popular in late 2013, being named as Know Your Meme’s "top meme" of that year. 

As the news of the Cheems' death came out, the lovers of the dog took to social media platforms to express their solidarity and love for the most viral puppy on the internet. 

“Forever in our hearts Always brought in so much joy on my feed. Rest easy, Balltze,” a girl wrote on the microblogging site X, expressing her love for Cheems. 

One user created a meme for the internet sensation, where Cheems can be seen with angel wings and a halo. It looks like the dog is in heaven, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the afterlife.

'"Though he's no longer with us, his iconic memes will continue to thrive on our devices, in our thoughts and across the digital landscape," a man wrote on X, formerly Twitter.