Max the honored dog has its statue which became favorite place for locals
The famous four-legged hero named Max has a bronze statue in his likeness, which sits on a bench in Hope Park.
English Springer Spaniel Max was already an online star thanks to his owner Kerry Irving’s regular updates on social media. Photos and videos of their antics in the Lakes, charity walks and public appearances had already made the dog famous. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020 Max’s daily live broadcasts resulted in him becoming the world’s virtual therapy dog. The dedicated fans tuned in from Australia to America.
Their daily Facebook Live videos became a lifeline for hundreds of thousands when the world went into lockdown. They helped people through incredibly dark times of isolation, grief, loneliness, anxiety and fear.
The local sculptor Kirsty Armstrong made and designed this statue. So now it is a permanent tribute of Keswick’s most famous dog.
Reacting to the unveiling, Max’s owner Kerry Irving said, “Hope Park is the perfect location as Max has brought hope to so many people. It’s incredible that our little boy will sit there and generations will remember him”
12-year-old Sophie, a local girl who has dyslexia, unveiled the statue, and has found great comfort in Max’s stories.
Crowdfunding campaign paid for the statue, which raised £26,000 in a single day! Kerry was able to donate additional funds from the campaign to vet charity PDSA. PDSA provides free and low cost veterinary care to the pets in need.
“Everyone has been so incredibly supportive, I can’t begin to express my thanks to all those that donated their hard-earned money, the Town Council and Hope Park Trust for arranging this wonderful location. Our local sculptor Kirsty, and Honister Slate Mine helped us pick the perfect slate for the bench,” Kerry added. “And the fact we could donate additional proceeds to PDSA too is wonderful. It’s a charity that is very close to my heart. I’m humbled by it all, and hope that Max’s statue will bring great comfort to all those who visit.”
