ASHLAND — Spencer, a golden retriever who impressed hundreds of Boston Marathon runners as they made their method down West Union Street (Route 135) within the early levels of the race, can be immortalized this weekend with a statue close to his common viewing spot.
The bronze statue of Spencer can be unveiled Saturday at 11 Frankland Road. The statue was crowdfunded on GoFundMewith almost $40,000 raised for its development.
Spencer died in February 2023 at age 13 years 6 months.
“When he first handed away, there was an enormous outcry of help for a statue being placed on the route, and we thought that may be nice, however statues will not be free,” mentioned Rich Powers, a Holliston resident who was Spencer’s proprietor. “A few volunteers from the Boston Marathon got here ahead to place collectively a committee to assist increase the funds.”
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The sculpture was accomplished by Canton sculptor Buccacio Sculpture Services. It options the golden retriever in his signature stance, holding a dual-ended flag in his mouth and dealing with Marathon runners as they cross by.
Image of ‘Boston Strong’ flag boosted Spencer’s reputation
Powers mentioned Spencer, a educated remedy canine that usually visited colleges, hospitals and different buildings in the course of the week, started gaining extra consideration following the Marathon bombings in 2013 when he started holding a “Boston Strong” flag. And he went viral in the course of the Marathon’s 2018 version, when he braved heavy rain to encourage runners navigating the treacherous climate.
“He was a remedy canine, and after the bombing we stood with a Boston Strong flag, and the runners appeared to actually like seeing him,” Powers mentioned. “He liked to carry issues in his mouth, and he was a particular, particular canine. He would simply see the power folks have and be capable of reverberate that power again on the runners.
“Year after 12 months, the runners would begin to search for him on the route.”
Spencer grew to become an icon, with the Boston Athletic Association recognizing him in 2022 as the official dog of the 126th Boston Marathon.
“He was a reminder to runners that they may beat the chances; in 2022, he beat most cancers and was nonetheless in a position to be out on the route,” Powers mentioned. “On a number of events, we thought he wasn’t going to be with us, and he grew to become an emblem of hope for runners that you are able to do greater than you assume you may.”
New golden retriever will take Spencer’s spot this April 15
Spencer’s shut compatriot, Penny, died simply seven days after Spencer final 12 months. But a brand new golden retriever, “Jimmy,” will quite literally carry the flag for Spencer throughout this 12 months’s Marathon on April 15.
The Boston Marathon route comprises a number of statues, together with one of many late operating duo Dick and Rick Hoyt in Hopkinton; the well-known “starter” statue on the Hopkinton beginning line; and of Marathon legend Johnny Kelley in Newton.
When in search of a location for Spencer’s statue, Powers mentioned the city of Ashland didn’t need to put it on public property. But Robin and Cynthia Hicks, who reside at 11 Frankland Road, devoted a chunk of their property to supply area for the statue, which the general public is invited to go to.
“The Hicks household donated the area and we’re very grateful for his or her help,” Powers mentioned.
Robin Hicks mentioned he and his spouse occurred to be watching an Ashland Select Board assembly when the difficulty of placing the statue on public property was raised, which led to him getting involved with Powers.
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“We bought in contact with Rich Powers and informed him that we may use the area on the finish of our driveway, which is correct on the intersection of Frankland, Olive Street and West Union Street,” Hicks mentioned.
Hicks mentioned he noticed Spencer holding his flag every year in the course of the Marathon, and was comfortable to volunteer the area.
“I patted him yearly, he was such an excellent canine,” he mentioned. “I attempted to get my three dogs to behave like him however they by no means may. I hope that individuals see the statue and it makes them take into consideration doing one thing good for his or her group.”
