Golden Retriever Beloved for Cheering on the Boston Marathon Gets Statue Near His Favorite Spot on the Route

Golden Retriever Beloved for Cheering on the Boston Marathon Gets Statue Near His Favorite Spot on the Route

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The beloved golden retriever is rewarded for being Boston strong.

A statue of Spencer — the late golden retriever named by the Boston Athletic Association as the official dog of the 2022 Boston Marathon — was unveiled Saturday in Ashland, Mass., across from a canine favorite along the marathon route. Local sculptor Jeff Buccacio created the statue. The dog became famous for year after year cheering on marathon runners from towns near Ashland State Park.

Spencer’s owner, Rich Powers, started the tradition with his beloved pet after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. However, the dog didn’t go viral until 2018 when he appeared in the pouring rain holding “Boston Strong” flags in his mouth to show support for the wet. athletes.

“Spencer understood what he was doing and knew he made a difference, and he enjoyed doing it,” Powers told local station WBZ News. As seen in videos shared by the station, runners would stop in their tracks to line up and take pictures with the dog.

Boston, MA - January 4: An artist unveiled a large-scale portrait of the famous icon of the Boston Marathon dog and inspiration to people around the world, Spencer, at Fairmont Copley Plaza, headquarters of Boston Marathon activities. Spencer and his owner Rich Powers, left, with artist Tom Mosser giving Spencer a kiss.

There is also a portrait of Spencer at the Boston Marathon headquarters.

David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty

The famous dog faced a medical challenge in 2020 when he was diagnosed with a tumor. Despite his health issues, Spencer continued to spread smiles during the COVID-19 pandemic on social media.

He returned to his favorite Boston Marathon venue in 2021. In February 2023, Power announced on Instagram that the dog had died after overcoming multiple bouts of cancer.

“We are devastated to share the news of Spencer’s passing,” Powers wrote. “We were on loan [an] an incredible gift in 2009, and we had to return it last Friday.”

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Ashland, MA - March 30: A statue is dedicated to honor Spencer, the golden retriever therapy dog ​​who became the official dog of the Boston Marathon. Spencer, of Holliston, stood on the track in Ashland and held a Boston Strong flag in his mouth. The dog died of cancer on February 17, 2023.

Golden retrievers pose with Spencer, the official dog of the Boston Marathon.

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty

“Spencer has overcome some serious medical challenges over the past few years. We thought we would be happy to have him for another month,” Powers added. “Spencer wasn’t ready to give up, and with the love and positive energy sent his way by hundreds of thousands of fans, he beat the odds and gave us 28 months.”

A family is mourning the loss of a second golden retriever just days after the famous Boston Marathon dog died

WBZ News reported that many of Spencer’s fans came up with the idea of ​​commissioning a statue in honor of the golden retriever. The dog’s supporters have also launched a fundraising campaign to finance the statue.

Ashland, MA - March 30: A statue is dedicated to honor Spencer, the golden retriever therapy dog ​​who became the official dog of the Boston Marathon. Spencer, of Holliston, stood on the track in Ashland and held a Boston Strong flag in his mouth. The dog died of cancer on February 17, 2023.

A statue made in honor of Spencer, the golden retriever who became the official dog of the Boston Marathon.

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty

After the statue was completed, Spencer’s fans came forward again and were honored with a permanent spot on the marathon route. The Ashland Board of Selectmen rejected a request to place the statue on city property, according to WBZ News, so residents Robin Hicks and Cynthia Eynon Hicks donated a portion of their private land across from Spencer’s site for the statue.

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Robin told local news that he donated his property so people could “just enjoy it and think — sit there and think about what you, as a human being, could do what this dog did.”

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