A dog was elected mayor to this California town, and he just wants world peace鈥nd treats
Mar 23, 2020 鈥 5 min read
In Idyllwild, a tiny mountain town in Southern California, the mayor was practically born with a tie around his neck. At just 11 weeks old, he was grandfathered into office; eager to put his paws to work, liaising with local businesses, and helping to promote the town鈥檚 message of love well beyond its winding mountain roads. In his official capacity, he鈥檚 known as 鈥淢aximus mighty-dog mueller, the second," but to this town and to the world, he鈥檚 known as "Mayor Max" 鈥 the Earth鈥檚 only Golden Retriever mayor.
How a dog became mayor of Idyllwild
Since the town of Idyllwild is non-incorporated and non-partisan 鈥 its residents believe 鈥渢hey can run things better on their own鈥 鈥 local politics have always felt gratuitous. But in 2012, the nonprofit ran a sponsored election, with an array of pets in the running. Mayor Max I, the present-day Max鈥檚 forebear, won with an overwhelming majority. He sadly died in his second term, leading his owner and chief of staff, Phyllis Mueller, to launch an international search 鈥 across Canada and the UK 鈥 to find his appropriate successor. After a moment of serendipity, Phyllis found two sets of Golden Retriever litters right here in the States, who happened to be a part of Max鈥檚 bloodline. From the first, she brought home two pups 鈥 Mike and Mitzy 鈥 who now serve as the mayor鈥檚 deputy. From the second, she found Mayor Max II. 鈥淗e was born to be mayor,鈥 she says, 鈥渉e looked into my camera with folded arms.鈥
Where you can find Mayor Max II
After a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, towards San Jacinto鈥檚 peak, you鈥檒l reach the town of Idyllwild 鈥 population 2500 鈥 at an elevation of 5400ft. With ears popped, a road of sequoias still scorched from a forest fire two years prior will lead you to the office of Mayor Max. Knock at his door, and he鈥檒l come out to greet you with a wagging tail and a striped tie draped from his ruff. Phyllis follows shortly after. 鈥淛ournalists usually come here to report on this cute dog,鈥 she says, 鈥渂ut Mayor Max is so much more than that. He鈥檚 going to cause world peace.鈥
In his six years of office, Mayor Max II has been at the town鈥檚 beck-and-call. He has attended upwards of 1000 local events, pulled motorists from the snow, brought tourists to the town, paid veterinary bills for those who couldn鈥檛 afford to keep their pets alive, comforted the dying in their final moments, shown love to the suicidal. 鈥淭hank you for saving my life,鈥 read one of the hundreds of letters that Phyllis has kept in the mayor鈥檚 office. Looking into Max鈥檚 kind chestnut eyes, one wonders, how did something so cute become so crucial?
Max's influence around town 鈥 and beyond 鈥 grows
While he could well become a therapy dog to the world, it鈥檚 the kindness and generosity of his owners that鈥檚 brought his profound warmth to the town, and increasingly to the masses. Phyllis will receive around five to fifteen calls a day from locals asking to have Max brought to them. If it鈥檚 possible, she鈥檒l always oblige. She鈥檚 also in near-constant communication with others asking after Max, including his 53,300 Instagram followers. The majority of photos on his feed are taken from one of his daily outings to the town, where he鈥檒l stop in front of Idyllwild鈥檚 gift shop and stay awhile to greet locals and visitors from around the world who have come specifically to see him. 鈥淭he furthest we鈥檝e had is a family from Dubai,鈥 says Phyllis.
His tail wags profusely as he greets his visitors from the mayor鈥檚 special pick-up truck. Outfitted with a cowboy hat and tie (there鈥檚 over a 100 in his office, each reserved for various seasonal events), he poses with several families; smiling straight into the camera with a grin more photogenic than Marilyn Monroe鈥檚. 鈥淐an he officiate our wedding?鈥 one couple asks. 鈥淟et鈥檚 see what we can do. He鈥檒l certainly be there,鈥 says Phyllis.
Nearby, one of the mayor鈥檚 human helpers, Mark, gives out magnetic Max business cards. 鈥淚t gives me so much joy even just giving these out,鈥 he says, 鈥渢he look on people鈥檚 faces鈥攊t makes me happy seeing them so happy.鈥 Almost all of the locals say they already have one at home on their fridge.
The office of Mayor Max is funded entirely by his owners, with around half of their income 鈥 Phyllis and her husband Glenn also run their own marketing company 鈥 going into events, merchandise, local support, whatever else comes up. Last year, they spent $10,000 on Max鈥檚 birthday party, which 1000 people attended. This year, they鈥檙e wondering how much of this is still sustainable, now that Max鈥檚 popularity is growing. Most years, they spend around $30,000 on calendars alone, which they send out for free. Now, they鈥檙e having to rethink and ask themselves whether they should begin to monetize Mayor Max, if only to keep his office running.
It鈥檚 a lot to think about for one furry boy, so for now, he rolls onto his back after another day of spreading love, and gets some well-earned belly rubs. 鈥淚 love you Max, I appreciate your work,鈥 Phyllis says solemnly. 鈥淚 make sure to tell him that everyday,鈥 she explains, 鈥淚 never forget.鈥
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