Spencer, the golden retriever turned owner of Spencer. the Boston Marathon’s official race dog, died at Holliston (Mass.) He died on February 17, 2017. He was 13 years and 6 ½ months old.
Rich Powers, the owner of his dog, stated: the The cause of the cancer was not operable.
Spencer was a passionate spectator who gained him worldwide fame the Boston Marathon Course. You can run the marathon in rain or shine “freezing deluge,” Spencer diligently held onto a “Boston Strong” As tens to thousands of runners rushed by, flag and hoards of supporters stopped midrace for Photos and pets His honor was bestowed by the. the Boston Athletic Association the race’s organizer, as the official dog, the “Grand Barkshal” You can also find out more about a “V.I.P., Very Important Pup.”
Spencer was born August 8th, 2009 at Upton, Mass. on a breeder’s farm. Two goldens older than Mandy and Misty were owned by the Powers. There was no plan to get another. Mandy died in her sleep on the Spencer died the day before. the Families were born. Rich believed Misty would be happier if she had Mandy.
Powers informed Dorrey that they were pumpkin picking, but instead surprised her with a surprise trip to the breeder’s farm. This turned out to be puppy picking. Dorrey took Spencer home, who was just eight weeks old, and stated, “I want this one.”
Rich Powers realized that Spencer was extremely smart once he returned home. He began to research how to apply his intelligence. “I didn’t realize a therapy dog was a thing and I thought this dog is too good not to share.”
Spencer got to work at There are many local colleges, schools, hospitals, and assisted-living facilities. Powers wanted to make sure that Spencer wasn’t only there to help ease bad news — a tragedy, a death, dreaded final exams — so they began making regular visits. “Just to celebrate a Tuesday,” He stated.
“He just walked up to people and sized them up, looked them up and down, and knew what you needed,” Powers said. (*13*)
Handyman working on the skylight at One day, he was looking between the two of them at their house. the The dog and the job at hand. He eventually turned to Powers, to speak. “hey, this dog really has an aura about him, huh?”
Spencer enjoyed Frisbees, swimming and dehydrated sweet potatoes, carrots, and getting into trouble. the Rich as a Shadow: Follow Rich by Mail
Penny was also his favorite. the Other golden retrievers in the Powers family, who was his nephew and three years older than him. Spencer was the recipient the Role of the older, wiser uncle who was occasionally annoyed with Penny’s antics, he was fiercely protective.
Penny was in need of surgery and he went to the Look after your pet at the animal hospital at Dorrey, as if saying “are you really OK with this?” He joined Penny for her physical therapyHe comforted her during her anxiety by pressing his nose against mine.
2015. Two years following. the Boston Powers made a statement about the marathon bombing. “Boston Strong” Spencer loved holding on to things, so Spencer was flagged. They laughed together for Two and a quarter miles from the finish line, runners pass by. the 26.2-mile race
Spencer’s brush with fame began in 2018 when runners were treated to a 20-to-30-mile-per-hour headwind and freezing rain. Penny and Dorrey, credit to them, chose to stay at home. Powers looked at Spencer and said “you know what, let’s do this.”
Powers dressed Spencer in his own navy rain jacket — it just fit the retriever — walked to their cheering spot near Ashland State Park, and in the They cheered for the brutality of their conditions the runners. Spencer perched in a wooden box with two flags in his mouth, flapping them in the He was pelted by rain, wind and squinting. for More than 4 hours Powers posted a video of Spencer Before his phone died to the conditions. He was shocked to discover that his viral video was later switched off.
Running shoes starting at around the Powers began to be emailed around the world. Is Spencer going to cheer in 2019?
Of course he wouldPowers replied. He was simply too generous not to tell.
Spencer went to the He went in 2020 carrying his flag, even though no one else was present. He also went to 2021 on what would’ve been. Boston Marathon Monday, despite the Due to the pandemic. He was back for the race’s triumphant running on Oct. 11, 2021.
Powers became so famous by 2022, that Powers’ friend had him hold a sign reading “Powers!” “Spencer coming up on the right” so runners wouldn’t miss him. In this way, runners in packs would form lines. the Right side of the course. They were eager to hold him and take a picture with him. Spencer also wanted to correctly greet and lick everyone. The marathon runners were happy to wait which added minutes to the time they finished.
Spencer took a short water break every now and then, Penny would come in to help. Powers called her the understudy. She was less excited than Spencer. the It all.
Each day was an opportunity to share a moment with Spencer. Spencer underwent a benign three and half-pound surgery to remove a tumor that had grown to 3 1/2 pounds. In 2020, he was diagnosed as having cancer. the The next year will be right after the Running of fall the marathon. After undergoing chemotherapy, he was only expected to survive for a few more months. But, despite this, he survived. the Time the 2022 Boston Marathon was in remission when he came to us.
April 1320,22 days ago the marathon, the B.A.A. held a ceremony to honor Spencer’s years of service alongside the course. He came. in a limousine And received an official racebib.
Powers hosted a party for his birthday in July 2022 for both dogs. Spencer was the first to succeed. 13The age of 60, which once seemed impossible to reach. There were more than 700 who showed up. “It was a four-hour event and people kept coming and coming and coming and coming,” Powers said. “For perspective, we had 80 people at our wedding,” He laughed.
the fall of 2022 Spencer’s cancer returned but treatment was no longer an option. Rich and Dorrey watched him closely, while letting him go. the pace. Rich Powers stated that he was not in pain. Spencer’s final days were filled with visitors and treats, Frisbees and naps on the couch.
Spencer began to feel noticeably weaker on Feb. 15. the Powers of the following day the phone call that he needed to make. They were scheduled for the vet to visit them on February 17th to end their pet’s life. the dog. Ten minutes before the doctor arrived, Spencer began shutting down.
“I feel like that was a gift he gave to me so I wouldn’t second guess for the rest of my life, ‘did I do the right thing?,’” Powers said. “He lived his life to the fullest until the last 10 minutes.”
Spencer’s survivors are Penny and Rich Powers, Penny and Gabby and Tawney.
“Everyone claims to have the best dog and no one is wrong,” Powers said. “Spencer did not know he was as special as he was.”
