The 127th Boston Marathon was held yesterday, and runners from around the world convened for the annual race. But this year was bittersweet for many runners, after the recent deaths of two beloved fixtures of the event: Spencer, the famous “Boston Strong” golden retriever, and his sister Penny.
The dogs cheered on runners every year and were familiar favorites among the participants. But while they weren’t there this year, they were there in spirit, as the race included a very heartwarming tribute to the beloved dogs.
“Boston Strong” dogs
Every year for 9 years, Spencer would be on the sidelines of the race holding a “Boston Strong” flag to cheer on runners.
Over the years, Spencer brought joy and hope to so many people. In 2018, he braved the wind and rain to cheer runners on. In 2020, when the race was postponed due to COVID-19, he offered some positivity and encouragement.
Spencer often appeared at the race alongside his sister, Penny. Both dogs were owned by Rich and Dorrey Powers.
In recent years, Spencer faced a number of health battles. In 2021, vets found a cancerous tumor on the dog’s spleen, which they were able to remove and treat with chemotherapy.
He finished chemo just in time to return to the Boston Marathon, more inspiring than ever: he was named the race’s “Official Dog” and was honored at a luxury hotel. Many runners stopped to take selfies with him, and one even gave him his own medal.
On behalf of the @BAA, we recognize Spencer the Dog, who has become an icon for Boston Marathoners every year.
The #BostonMarathon hereby names Spencer as the Official Dog of the 126th Boston Marathon & present him with his very own SPENCER bib to celebrate.????????#Boston126 pic.twitter.com/09mEdLY1Zr
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 13, 2022
Spencer and Penny – rest in peace
But months after his triumphant return to the marathon, Spencer was diagnosed with untreatable liver cancer. The family was “beyond devastated to know this amazing angel will leave us soon,” Powers said, according to Boston 25 News.
In February, the owners announced that Spencer had died. “Spencer passed in our home with the help of our compassionate vet on Friday,” they wrote.
Sadly, his sister Penny followed him over the rainbow bridge just eight days later.
“We discovered a tumor on Penny’s spleen and she was bleeding internally. We then had the chest exrayed and the entire abdomen ultra sound where they found that the Hemangio Sarcoma tumors had spread to her liver,” the family wrote.
“We held her, thanked her, and told her we loved her until he last breath.”
