Gen the Corgi, the dog who became viral over his facial expressions, passed away at the age of five.
The owners of Gen, short for Gensaku, broke the sad news on Monday on his Instagram account, saying, "We are still so heartbroken but it is truly comforting to know that he is so loved. Please do not remember him with sadness but with joy."
The post was accompanied with a photo of Gen with his back turned to the camera, a yellow leaf blowing by his side. "This is how we will always remember him. Fearless, free, and uninhibited. He was always up for an adventure and could make us smile on the worst of days. His pure heart touched so many, from near and far."
"We never gave up on him and he never gave up on us. He may not have been here for the longest time, but he lived the fullest life. We still have so many memories of him that we would love to share with you. Gen is forever," his dog parents added.
Gen from Japan went viral last year, at the start of the pandemic, for his hilarious and cute facial expressions.