The golden retriever: It's a good dog. Sort of the consummate family dog, just a big boxy-headed lugnut of a pup that loves everything and is always happy.

So when you get several hundred golden retrievers together all in one place — and when you put bandanas on their necks, just for good measure — well, nobody's arguing about that!

I did not know there was such a thing as a "Golden Retriever Meetup" but now that I know I cannot stay away.

So why do all of these people gather together with hundreds of their furry little buddies? As you might have guessed, it's to honor one particular golden retriever:

Hundreds of golden retrievers gathered to celebrate Spencer, the golden named the official dog of the Boston Marathon, and the impact the late dog had on the famous race. ...

The Boston Athletic Association declared Spencer the official dog of the Boston Marathon in 2022. The golden retriever became known among marathon attendees (and the world) for showing up on race day at his favorite spot in Ashland, Mass., rain or shine, to cheer on runners and take photos with his fans.

Spencer first became known to Bostonians in 2013 when he started showing up at the city's marathon after the brutal terrorist bombing that year. He subsequently became a fixture at the event, particularly after he began appearing with "Boston Strong" flags clamped between his noble jaws.

The pup was so beloved that people would literally stop running the race — something race experts say is not a great idea if you want to win — in order to pet him:

Alas, the pup passed away last year from doggie cancer, though his legacy clearly lives on, including in a recently unveiled statue in Boston:

And of course, at the statue's unveiling, there were plenty of — well, you know:

Good boy, Spencer!

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