April 15, 2024

Golden retrievers meet in honor of Boston Marathon beloved dogs

WATCH: Golden retrievers meet up ahead of 2024 Boston Marathon to honor late marathon dog

A group of golden retrievers and their owners came together for a Boston meetup honoring the late Boston Marathon dog Spencer and his late niece Penny.

Organized by MA Golden Meetups, the very good boys and girls got to embark on a "Golden Strong" walk in Boston Common and meet Boston Marathon runners in person on Sunday. It's the second year the meetup has been held ahead of Monday's 128th running of the iconic marathon.

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Golden retrievers and their owners gathered at Boston Common on April 14, 2024 for a “Golden Strong” meetup held in honor of the late Boston Marathon dog Spencer and his late canine sister Penny.
WCVB
Golden retrievers and their owners gathered at Boston Common on April 14, 2024 for a “Golden Strong” meetup held in honor of the late Boston Marathon dog Spencer and his late canine sister Penny.
WCVB
Golden retrievers and their owners gathered at Boston Common on April 14, 2024 for a “Golden Strong” meetup held in honor of the late Boston Marathon dog Spencer and his late canine sister Penny.
MORE: Golden retrievers gather at Boston Marathon finish line in honor of beloved dogs

The late Spencer died on Feb. 17, 2023, after a second bout of cancer. The 13-year-old was a beloved therapy dog who would cheer on Boston Marathon runners with bright blue "Boston Strong" flags since 2015. Spencer was recognized as the official Boston Marathon dog in 2022.

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Both of Powers' dogs, Spencer and Penny, cheered runners at the Boston Marathon over the years.
MORE: Beloved therapy dog who cheered Boston Marathon runners dies of cancer

Spencer's owner Richard Powers told "Good Morning America" last year that the special golden retriever "really epitomized what the Boston Marathon is about, which is overcoming obstacles and doing the best you can."

"He was our world. He was everything. He and Penny -- they were just wonderful dogs and each of them were too good not to share, and so that's what we did," Powers said shortly after Spencer's death.

Penny, Spencer's canine niece, also cheered on marathon runners and died shortly after Spencer. Powers announced in an Instagram post that Penny, who was 10, died on Feb. 25, 2023, just eight days after Spencer's death. According to Powers, Penny also had a type of canine cancer called hemangiosarcoma.

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Sunday's meetup raised funds for the Morris Animal Foundation's hemangiosarcoma and canine cancer research initiative.