DOGE isn't dead, in my opinion. It is traded on almost every exchange, and it is still actively developed, if slowly (remember it integrated merged Scrypt mining not too long ago). It has first mover advantage in terms of light-hearted "joke" coins, and DOGE is still the coin of choice for trading against sub-1-satoshi coins on exchanges.

I classify it with long-surviving coins like LTC, BLK, and PPC - the price might have ups and downs, and it may even stay stagnant for long stretches of time; but the blockchain is dependable, and it will always be around. Best of all, the price will almost assuredly pump periodically even if it takes months or years.