Spencer the Golden Retriever is likely one of the most well-known faces on the Boston Marathon. He doesn’t do any operating, however he’s all the time there to help the people collaborating. He and his sister Penny usually sit in a particular spot and cheer on the runners by holding up flags. In return, they get a whole lot of pets!
Sadly, Spencer was recognized with most cancers final 12 months, so his household was fearful he wouldn’t be capable of attend the following Boston Marathon. But he has fought arduous since his analysis, and he’s hopeful that he’ll attend. This 12 months, he was even named the official canine of the occasion!
Spencer’s Medical Struggles
Last 12 months, Spencer had surgical procedure to take away a cancerous tumor, and he was recognized with terminal most cancers shortly after. He additionally had a non-cancerous tumor eliminated in 2020. Spencer is at the moment in remission from his most up-to-date surgical procedure, and fortunately, he’s managed to remain wholesome since then.
Spencer’s human, Rich Powers, is hopeful that Spencer will really feel effectively sufficient to attend the 126th Boston Marathon on April 18th. Spencer and Penny, who’re each remedy canine, often sit in a single spot and maintain “Boston Strong” flags as individuals run by. They love all the eye they get, and Powers is glad they will deliver pleasure to others.
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“We don’t really do it for the recognition — we do it to inspire,” Powers mentioned. “He’s been kind of a very special dog from the get-go, we recognized it immediately. It’s almost been like a mission for my wife and I to share this dog with the world. He’s literally too good to keep to ourselves.”
So, Powers plans to deliver Spencer to the occasion, so long as every little thing goes effectively. He mentioned if it’s too scorching for the canine, he gained’t deliver them. Spencer handles chilly and rain effectively, however scorching temperatures are a wrestle. It might be unhappy if Spencer can’t attend, however in fact, his well being all the time comes first.
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A Boston Marathon Honor
Whether or not Spencer involves this 12 months’s Boston Marathon, he’s the official canine of the occasion. He attended a ceremony on the Fairmont Copley Plaza to earn the title. Spencer and Penny bought a limousine journey to the ceremony, and Spencer was given a lot of items, together with a customized bib and a goody bag.
“When he got sick, people were afraid he wouldn’t make it again,” mentioned Powers. “The past two marathons, this one included, it was really unlikely. It’s a miracle. He’s a miracle boy. He’s an inspiration for a lot of people that you can do it.”
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Spencer is sort of 13 years outdated, so even when he wasn’t dealing with most cancers, his household would nonetheless be uncertain what number of years he has left. So, he’s going to take advantage of each Boston Marathon similar to he all the time has. He’s been by means of lots this previous 12 months, however that hasn’t stopped him from being his glad, loving self.
Runners can count on to see Spencer about two to 3 miles into the marathon route. He will doubtless spend a while holding up flags and resting along with his sister. As all the time, people are inspired to cease by to say hello and provides him some love. This unimaginable canine deserves all the popularity he can get!
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H/T: boston.cbslocal.com
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