Max the Golden Retriever Is This California Town’s Dog Mayor [Video]

• California’s small mountain town of Idyllwild has a dog for a mayor.
• Mayor Max, an 8-year-old golden retriever, has been the town’s mayor since he was just an 11-week-old puppy.
• According to Mayor Max’s chief of staff, he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican and his approval rating is through the roof.

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Would you believe it when someone from Idyllwild, California says that their town mayor is a dog? Well, you’ve gotta see it to believe it.

Meet Max, an 8-year-old golden retriever, who’s been Idyllwild’s mayor since he was just an 11-week-old puppy.

“He’s been the mayor his whole life,” Phyllis Mueller tells Daily paws. “He knows what to do when he’s out in public. He loves people, he loves to pose for photographs, and he just loves his job.”

Phyllis holds a unique job — Mayor Max’s chief of staff. After all, she’s Max’s loving mom.

The mayor of Idyllwild’s full name is Maximus the Mighty Dog Mueller II.

Idyllwild is a non-incorporated town just outside Palm Springs. Since it’s such a small mountain community, its local animal rescue organization decided to run a campaign to elect its first mayor. However, only pets could run. That’s right! No humans could become Idyllwild’s mayor.

Residents had submitted their pets as candidates.

The town’s first mayor was Maximus the Mighty Dog Mueller, Phyllis’ dog. He won the first election and served as dog mayor until he passed away halfway through his second term. The town loved Max so much that Phyllis sought out another retriever from Max I’s bloodline to come in and take his place.

When Max II became the new mayor, Deputy Mayor Mitzi and Deputy Mayor Mikey helped him finish out the original Mayor Max’s first’s term in office. The three dogs are all relatives of the original Mayor Max. The trio was reelected for life during the third election.

Believe it or not, but Max has now been officially recognized as the mayor by the county of Riverside.

Mayor Max and his deputies act as goodwill ambassadors for Idyllwild. They greet locals and tourists, visit homes, hospitals and hospice organizations. Basically, make their constituents happy.

If you’re wondering if Mayor Max is a Democrat or a Republican, Phyllis says that his office is non-partisan and non-political. His approval rating is through the roof!

“We only do kind and loving things for people,” Phyllis says. “[Mayor Max] doesn’t know what Republican or Democrat means, but he does know how to love you unconditionally.”

Source: The Daily Paws