The bronze likeness of 13-year-old spaniel Max, Keswick’s most famous canine resident, has been erected in Hope Park with a donation box attached raising money for the upkeep of the green space.

Kerry Irving, Max’s owner, created an online community through daily livestreams of their walks throughout the pandemic and the dog was even awarded a PDSA Order of Merit for its work in improving the nation’s mental health. Owner Kerry Irving had Max trained as a therapy dog in 2016 and during the pandemic he became a virtual therapy dog. Live broadcasts of his daily walks were credited with helping people cope with depression and isolation. In February Max was presented with the PDSA Order of Merit, also known as the animal OBE, for his “outstanding contribution to society. 

You can find his bronze statue in the park just past the golf hut opposite the carved squirrel. Make sure to tag us in your photos with max – link to Instagram.