Boo (March 16, 2006 – January 18, 2019) was a Pomeranian dog that had a popular Facebook page and was the subject of four photo-books.[1] As of 2020, Boo had 16 million likes on Facebook.[2] Boo was owned by Irene Ahn, a Facebook employee, who was also the owner of Boo's older brother, Buddy.
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Pomeranian |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | March 16, 2006 San Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 18, 2019 (aged 12) Buena Park, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2008–2019 |
| Known for | being "World's cutest dog" |
| Owner | Irene Ahn |
Popularity
editBoo belonged to a San Francisco-based Facebook employee who created a Facebook page for the dog with the statement "My name is Boo. I am a dog. Life is good." He became popular in October 2010 after singer Kesha sent a tweet that she had a new boyfriend, linking to the page.[3]
Chronicle Books, noticing that Boo had 5 million Facebook fans at the time, approached the owner to write a picture book. In August 2011, Boo: The Life of the World's Cutest Dog, written by his owner under the pen name J. H. Lee, was published. The book was eventually published in ten languages. A second book followed, Boo: Little Dog in the Big City, as well as a calendar and plans for a cut-out book and additional children's books. His other merchandise includes a Gund stuffed animal.[1]
Media appearances
editIn April 2012, Boo was the subject of a death hoax after #RIPBOO appeared all over Facebook. Tweets followed as Gizmodo writer Sam Biddle tweeted that Boo had died. It was later confirmed by the Chronicle Book staff that Boo was alive and well.[4]
In July 2012, Boo was named the Official Pet Liaison of Virgin America, which featured photos of him in an airplane alongside advice for people traveling with pets.[1][5] He also modeled sunglasses for The Monocle Order, from the Blood and Tears line.[6]
Mike Isaac of All Things Digital outed Boo's owner as Irene Ahn, a Facebook employee, in August 2012.[3][7][8]
Health complications and death
editBoo's owners said he began to show signs of heart trouble after Buddy's death; he died in his sleep on the morning of January 18, 2019.[9][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Benny Evangelista (August 17, 2012). "Boo, 'the cutest dog in the world'". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- ^ "Boo the Pomeranian dog dies 'from a broken heart'". BBC News. 2019-01-19. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ a b Isaac, Mike (August 8, 2012). "Boo, the World's Cutest Dog, Calls a Facebook Employee "Mom"". AllThingsD. Archived from the original on August 9, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ "Boo Is Alive: Dog's Death Refuted On Facebook As #RIPBOO Tweets Flow". HuffPost. April 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ "Boo, World's Cutest Dog, Is Now Official Pet Liaison For Virgin America (PHOTOS)". HuffPost. July 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ a b "'He's a true legend': Boo, 'World's Cutest Dog' dies at 12". San Francisco Chronicle. HTV. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
- ^ Choney, Suzanne (9 August 2012). "Is Boo the 'cutest dog' in the world a Facebook plant?". Digital Life. Today. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ Shontell, Alyson (August 8, 2012). "Meet Boo, 'The World's Cutest Dog'—And The Secret Facebook Employee Behind Him". Business Insider. Archived from the original on August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (January 18, 2019). "Boo the Pomeranian, Once Named the World's Cutest Dog, Dies". People. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.