Thursday Things: Dog Dynasty Edition
28 September 2023. Vol 5 No 39. By Dan McGirt. #216
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Mayor Max I, founder of the dog mayor dynasty. Image: MayorMax.com
Who doesn’t love dog mayors?
That’s a rhetorical question! Everyone loves dog mayors!
We especially love dog mayors here at Thursday Things, so that’s why we’ve devoted this edition to one of the better known dog mayor dynasties.
Is this blatant pandering? Yes!
But it also reinforces one of the guiding principles of Thursday Things — we don’t cover or discuss politics, except for dog mayors.
Thursday Things aims to bring you good things to read on Thursdays. We curate interesting, amusing, uplifting, useful, and occasionally offbeat items from online and elsewhere. If it’s your first time here, welcome! If you’re already a Happy Subscriber — thanks!
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Dog mayor dynasty
We haven’t checked in on our favorite dog mayors in a while. I’m sad to report that Idyllwild, California’s dog mayor-for-life, Mayor Max II passed away last August.
Idyllwild’s second mayor passes at age 9
Mayor Max II died just after 11 p.m. Saturday, July 30, following sudden health issues. “Mayor Max is going into surgery at 9 PM this evening approximately. He has several crises in his body that are causing the removal of the spleen and potentially other organs. There is a possibility when they do the surgery they will find that there is no hope for Mayor Max’s condition and that his life will end this evening,” wrote co-owner Phyllis Mueller on Mayor Max’s Facebook page.
The first Mayor Max died in his sleep April 2, 2013, after suffering numerous health problems. He became mayor through an Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) fundraiser. After his death, the new puppy Mayor Max II, born May 6, 2013, completed the first mayor’s term of office through June 30, 2014, but ARF decided to allow the new mayor to continue without a term limit.
RIP Mayor Max II. He was a good dog.
RIP Mayor Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II. Image: Glenn Warren CC BY-SA 4.0
Mayor Max II was popular on YouTube. As you might expect.
With Max’s passing, Idyllwild was again left without a dog mayor.
And so the search began for a worthy successor.
And, lo, one was found: meet Mayor Max III!
Mayor Max III. The mayor is dead. Long live the mayor! Via: Instagram
Max III brings a youthful energy to the role of presiding over Idyllwild’s affairs, greeting visitors, and spreading joy.
He is also, it seems, very fond of ties.
‘He ate three of his ties in a month’: California’s dog mayor celebrates a year in office
Since 2012, three generations of golden retrievers have held the mayoral seat in the unincorporated southern California mountain town of Idyllwild. Mayor Max III, who resembles a young, fluffy Tom Selleck, is the latest to be sworn into office.
It’s been a busy year in office for Mayor Max III, who just celebrated his first birthday with a party attended by roughly 1,000 guests. Over the past 12 months, Max has been making daily public appearances in the center of town, while also visiting hospitals, schools and nursing homes, attending to those in need of love. He has lain next to hospice residents during their final moments and has encouraged despairing people to carry on. …
The pooch is a snappy dresser and even has two tie closets just for him. “He has around 3,000 ties,” she shared. “He ate three of them during his first month in office.”
Ties are delicious!
Unlike other famous dog dynasties — such as the Uga line of University of Georgia football mascots, now extending to Uga XI — the maximal mayors of Idyllwild are not the scions of a continuous canine bloodline. Rather, they follow the model of the Roman emperors, who often designated their successors by adoption.
Indeed the ultimate objective of the Max dynasty is no less grandiose than those of the glorious Roman rulers of yore, though much more friendly, as one would expect of a golden retriever despot: peace on Earth.
From an interview with Mayor Max’s chief of staff / owner:
What is your hope for the legacy of Mayor Max III?
It’s funny, we were just talking about this today! When you read our yearly calendar, you’ll see a “POET” section— this is Max’s Peace on Earth Team (POET) section. POET is essentially our strategy for how to create peace on earth and what each individual can do to help make it happen. POET is incredibly important. …
We recently met with a gentleman who asked me to consider the continuation of Mayor Max in a different way. He suggested creating something like a foundation that would continue beyond my lifetime. I never dreamed that was a possibility, especially since I’m so busy—but now, I’m considering it. I would be so happy to know that my goal and purpose for mankind would continue. I don’t see any reason why we can’t all live together, thrive, and have a peaceful planet
All hail our benevolent mush-face overlord, Max III!
Thank you for reading!
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