Spencer, a popular golden retriever known for cheering on Boston Marathon participants, has died. He was 13.
According to an Instagram post by his owner, Rich Powers, he died on Friday after fighting multiple bouts of cancer.
“We are devastated to share the news of Spencer’s passing,” Powers said. “We were loaned [an] incredible gift in 2009 and we had to return the gift last Friday.”
According to WCVB-TV in Boston, Spencer first became viral in 2018 while holding “Boston Strong” flags in his mouth during the rain-soaked run that year at his normal place on the course near Ashland State Park for nine years.
Despite his health problems, the beloved canine took a two-and-a-half-year hiatus during the epidemic and while battling cancer, returning to rally runners as they passed through in 2021.
“Spencer has overcome some severe medical challenges over the past several years. We thought we would be lucky to have him for an extra month,” Powers’ Instagram post read. “Spencer was not ready to give up and with the love and positive energy sent to him by hundreds of thousands of fans, He beat the odds and gave us 28 months.”
Spencer was designated the official dog of the 126th Boston Marathon by the Boston Athletic Association prior to the marathon in 2022. He was named the official dog during a ceremony near the finish line at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston.
Spencer made it back to the Boston Marathon despite having a 3.5-pound tumor removed, according to WCVB-TV.
“We at the B.A.A. are saddened to learn of the passing of one of our dearest and most loyal Boston Marathon supporters, Spencer,” the Boston Athletic Association wrote in a statement to the news outlet. “Spencer annually encouraged participants in Ashland, embodying the unwavering spirit of Boston’s athletes as he showed up year after year regardless of the weather conditions. We were honored to have recognized Spencer as the Official Dog of the Boston Marathon in 2022, and extend our condolences to the Powers family, sister Penny, and his many friends and admirers around the world.”
Spencer spent his last day “eating his sweet potato treats, drinking water and enjoying visitors,” according to Instagram.
“Spencer being true Spence gave us his last gift. He did not want us to wonder forever if we had made the right decision,” Powers wrote.
Minutes before the vet was scheduled to arrive, Spencer began to shut down.
“A few minutes later With the help of our local vet, Spencer passed at home while we held him, thanked him and told him we loved him,” Powers said.