Balltze (波子), affectionately known as Ball Ball by his family, was the real-life Shiba Inu behind the iconic Cheems meme. Born in Hong Kong on January 9, 2011, he was adopted by fashion designer Kathy’s family in 2012 and lived a quiet, happy life before accidentally becoming one of the internet’s most beloved dogs. His fame began with a 2017 Instagram photo showing his mildly annoyed expression, which sat unnoticed for nearly two years before Reddit users transformed him into “Cheems” in 2019—a soft, anxious, cheeseburger-loving counterpart to Doge known for adding extra “m”s to words like “cheemsburger” and “amsiety.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheems became one of the internet’s defining reaction memes through formats like Swole Doge vs. Cheems, symbolizing quiet resilience and relatable struggle. Although Kathy initially found the memes confusing, she embraced the community, releasing merchandise that supported Hong Kong animal charities while reminding fans to remember him as Balltze, not just Cheems. After battling pancreatitis and later cancer, Balltze peacefully passed away on August 18, 2023, during a medical procedure. Kathy encouraged fans to celebrate the joy he brought to millions rather than mourn, calling his mission complete. Today, Balltze remains one of the internet’s most enduring meme icons, while his legacy lives on through his official accounts, charitable initiatives, and the countless people whose lives he brightened with one unforgettable expression.