Photo: MA Golden Meetups
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A tribute is planned for a beloved dog and his niece the day before the running of the 127th Boston Marathon.
Spencer, the 13-year-old golden retriever who cheered on marathon runners for years with a "Boston Strong" flag in his mouth on the route near Ashland State Park, died of untreatable liver cancer in February. Spencer was named the official dog of the 126th Boston Marathon in April 2022.
Just days later, Spencer's owners Richard and Dorrey Powers announced the death of Penny, Spencer's 11-year-old niece.
In honor of Spencer and Penny, the group MA Golden Meetups has announced that more than 100 golden retrievers and their humans will take part in a one-mile walk from Boston Common to the Boston Marathon finish line on Sunday, April 16.
There will be group photo opportunities along the walk, and marathon runners, families, and visitors will spend time with the pups at the finish line with plenty of belly rubs and biscuits.
Dogs participating in the walk will wear bandanas that say "Golden Strong," a reference to Spencer's "Boston Strong" flag. Proceeds from every bandana sold will go towards the Morris Animal Foundation to support their research on canine cancer.
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