Therapy Dog Back for Second Year in Row, Cheering on Boston Marathon Runners
As approximately 1 million people flocked to the 123rd Boston Marathon on April 15, one golden-furred cheerleader was on the roadway, doing his part to motivate runners.
Spencer, a golden retriever and therapy dog, participated as a cheerleader during last year’s Boston Marathon.
Video of Spencer at the 2018 marathon went viral as he wore a raincoat and carried a banner in his mouth, braving the cold, windy and raining conditions.
This year’s race weather was rainy again, but Spencer was well prepared with his shiny yellow raincoat and proud owner, Rich Powers, by his side.
A few days before the race, Powers posted a string of photos of Spencer and his sister, Penny, gearing up for the big marathon.
“Preparing to cheer on the runners on Monday,” Powers wrote, giving information on where he planned to position himself and his dogs along the course.
“If the weather is what they are predicting Penny will sit it out again this year,” he said. “Only have 1 raincoat and Spencer gets it.”
The rain did come out again, meaning Penny enjoyed a day on the couch while brother Spencer did his part to support marathon runners in his community.
“A little wet again this year, but much better than last year,” Powers wrote in a Facebook post with a video clip from Spencer’s last marathon day.
This year, Spencer was prepared with a dog-sized yellow raincoat and a banner he held in his mouth that read, “We Are Boston Strong.”
The supportive pooch sat faithfully alongside the road toward the beginning of the race as people ran by, happy to glimpse his happy golden face.
Runners could be heard praising Spencer, saying, “Good Boy” and “that’s awesome.”
With another marathon in the books, Spencer can go home and rest — after all, cheering on marathon runners in cold, wet weather sounds almost as tiring as running the race itself.
“Turned out to be a great day for a marathon,” Powers wrote at the conclusion of the race. “Congrats to the runners and see you in 2020!”
Hopefully next year, Penny will get to join, too.
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