1 year ago
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Several Golden Retrievers crossed the Boston Marathon finish line Sunday in honor of Spencer, the official Boston Marathon dog, and his niece Penny.What started as a small group of Golden Retriever owners getting together to go on hikes grew into a community of friends.When they learned of the passing of Spencer and Penny within weeks of each other, the group knew they wanted to do something.“I think it’s a symbol of Massachusetts, but it’s also a symbol of strength and resilience. I think we're all going through a time where we all need strength and resilience coming out of the pandemic. Opportunities to make people smile, whether it’s the day of or the day before, I think it’s a way to come together as a community,” said Elisha Bussiere, of Massachusetts Golden Meetups.The dogs wore bandanas that say "Golden Strong" in homage to Spencer’s famous "Boston Strong" flag and will spend time with runners, families and visitors at the Marathon finish line the day before the race.“It teared me up, pretty amazing,” Spencer and Penny’s owner Rich Powers said.Powers said that losing them has brought a level of sadness he's never known, but knowing the golden community is there for him means everything.“There’s something about a Golden Retriever that just are very, very, very special breed,” Powers said.After they crossed the finish line, the dogs gathered on Boston Common with dozens of other Golden Retrievers and their owners.During the Boston Common gathering, Massachusetts Golden Meetups presented a $1,000 check to Powers as a donation in Spencer's and Penny's names to the Morris Animal Foundation for K9 Cancer Research.Part of the proceeds from the "Golden Strong" bandanas will also benefit the Morris Animal Foundation.Spencer became an iconic symbol of the Boston Marathon for holding a flag reading "Boston Strong" along the marathon route, greeting thousands of runners as they passed.Spencer had multiple bouts with cancer and after another cancer was detected over the winter, his owners came to face the realization that he would not make it to the 127th running of the race. Spencer died on Feb. 17 at the age of 13.Spencer's niece, the family's 11-year-old golden retriever named Penny, died days later after a veterinarian discovered she was suffering from internal bleeding and that she had tumors on her liver and spleen.
BOSTON —
Several Golden Retrievers crossed the Boston Marathon finish line Sunday in honor of Spencer, the official Boston Marathon dog, and his niece Penny.
What started as a small group of Golden Retriever owners getting together to go on hikes grew into a community of friends.
When they learned of the passing of Spencer and Penny within weeks of each other, the group knew they wanted to do something.
“I think it’s a symbol of Massachusetts, but it’s also a symbol of strength and resilience. I think we're all going through a time where we all need strength and resilience coming out of the pandemic. Opportunities to make people smile, whether it’s the day of or the day before, I think it’s a way to come together as a community,” said Elisha Bussiere, of Massachusetts Golden Meetups.
The dogs wore bandanas that say "Golden Strong" in homage to Spencer’s famous "Boston Strong" flag and will spend time with runners, families and visitors at the Marathon finish line the day before the race.
“It teared me up, pretty amazing,” Spencer and Penny’s owner Rich Powers said.
Powers said that losing them has brought a level of sadness he's never known, but knowing the golden community is there for him means everything.
“There’s something about a Golden Retriever that just are very, very, very special breed,” Powers said.
After they crossed the finish line, the dogs gathered on Boston Common with dozens of other Golden Retrievers and their owners.
During the Boston Common gathering, Massachusetts Golden Meetups presented a $1,000 check to Powers as a donation in Spencer's and Penny's names to the Morris Animal Foundation for K9 Cancer Research.
Part of the proceeds from the "Golden Strong" bandanas will also benefit the Morris Animal Foundation.
Spencer became an iconic symbol of the Boston Marathon for holding a flag reading "Boston Strong" along the marathon route, greeting thousands of runners as they passed.
Spencer had multiple bouts with cancer and after another cancer was detected over the winter, his owners came to face the realization that he would not make it to the 127th running of the race. Spencer died on Feb. 17 at the age of 13.
Spencer's niece, the family's 11-year-old golden retriever named Penny, died days later after a veterinarian discovered she was suffering from internal bleeding and that she had tumors on her liver and spleen.
English (US)