Gen the Corgi Dies, Social Media Mourns

Gen the Corgi, one of the internet's most loved dogs, has died following a bout with cancer, according his Instagram page.

Gen went viral at the start of the coronavirus lockdowns for his impossibly sunny disposition and cute facial expressions when looking at everything from food to snow, to sakura blooms, even his own leash.

"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," according to the death announcement.

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Posts leading up to Monday showed that Gen had battled cancer, which had spread to parts of his tiny body.

"Sometimes I will be in control of my illness and other times I’ll sink into despair, and that’s OK! Freak out, forgive myself, and try again tomorrow," he said earlier last week.

His dog parents said on Monday: "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."