Somerville (CBS) — Meet 11-year-old Sparkle. If you live in Somerville, you probably already know him.
Owner Melora Rush said, “He’s known as the mayor of Somerville. A lot of people talk about him that way.”
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Rush put up a sign outside his home last year to introduce the puppy who just loves to be outside.
“She adores him. She usually sits right outside the sign. And just waits for her fan club,” said Rush.
A fan club that often includes visitors, such as neighbor Alison Pirie, who says she visits Sparkle, “about once a day. I walk back and forth.”
He also receives fan mail, in which Rush shows some letters to WBZ-TV.
“It’s a note that was left a few days ago that says ‘We love you Sparkle. Best girl,'” Rush said.
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It’s a fan club that’s growing thanks to a recent social media post that went viral by Boston photographer Eric Magnussen:
made a new friend on my walk today pic.twitter.com/TwDiAbm1qc
— Eric Magnussen (@EricMagnussen) November 9, 2021
In the post, an update to the sign reveals that Sparkle has cancer in her upper jaw, and cannot be cured.
“I wanted the neighbors to know what was happening because it’s going to be a huge loss for Somerville and this community,” Rush said.
Neighbor Joe Szafarowicz said to pay a special visit, “I heard the news online that Sparkle had been diagnosed with cancer and after a good cry with my partner I thought, just say hello, it felt like the right thing to do. “
Sparkle’s old and new friends are encouraged to continue showing their love, but are reminded to clean their hands beforehand, be gentle when petting her, and avoid touching her face. .
“I hope she stays healthy for a while to be outside. I hope she gets all the love in the world and like our vet said people spoil her,” Rush said.
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No matter how much time Sparkle has left, it is clear that it will be more than a decade spent, with neighbor Kathryn Lynn Harris saying, “This is how she will spend the rest of her life, giving love to the world and Come back at it. It’s just beautiful.”
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