FAQs about the Mayors of Idyllwild and the Office of Mayor Max

Q. What is Mayor Max’s breed?
A. Mayor Max the Third is a pure-bred American Golden Retriever.

Q. How many Golden Retriever Mayors have their there been in Idyllwild?
A. There have been three Golden Retriever Mayors of Idyllwild, California:
    • Mayor Max the First, the Mayor from July 1, 2012 to April 2, 2013
    • Mayor Max the Second, the Mayor from July 21, 2013 to July 30, 2022
    • Mayor Max the Third, the Mayor from December 10, 2022 to present

Q. Has there ever been a human Mayor of Idyllwild, California?
A. No. The only Mayors of Idyllwild have ever been the Golden Retrievers owned by Phyllis Mueller and Glenn Warren. In addition to Mayor Max the First, Second, and Third, there have also been two Deputy Co-Mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, and the current Vice Mayor the First, Meadow.

Q. How old is Mayor Max the Third?
A. Mayor Max the Third was born on September 5, 2022.

Q. Where was Mayor Max the Third born?
A. Mayor Max the Third was born in Payson, Utah at Golden Havoc Kennels.

Q. What is Max’s term in office?
A. Since 2014, the Office of the Mayor of Idyllwild has been that of Mayor for life. Mayor Max the First won the election in 2012. He was such a great Mayor for Idyllwild that Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friend (ARF) extended his term for a second year (2013). Then, in 2014, ARF solicited the town’s interest in holding another election. The people overwhelming pled for Mayor’s Max’s continuation in perpetuity. Since July 2014, the Office of Mayor Max is a for-life position. As long as Phyllis Mueller and Glenn Warren want to continue the Office of Mayor Max, their Golden Retrievers will remain in office. Today, Phyllis Mueller and Glenn Warren want to continue the Office of Mayor Max in perpetuity. 

Q. When and where can I meet Max?
A. Max is available for meeting with you every day of the year. His visiting schedule is included on this website in the Schedule to Meet Mayor Max section. If you require another schedule, contact Phyllis Mueller at 949.525.0100 by text or telephone call. His downtown meeting place is Wooley’s, 54274 N. Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549, the store with a giant cowboy hat over the entrance and next to the Idyllwild Gift Shop and the Candy Cupboard. Mayor Max can meet at other locations as well upon request. 

Q. Are the Mayors of Idyllwild related?
A. Yes, all of the Golden Retrievers of the Mayor’s Office of Idyllwild, California are related by bloodline and are either siblings or cousins. Mayor Max the First, Second, and Third are all cousins. Mayor Max the Third and Vice Mayor Meadow the First are siblings. Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi is their cousin. Angel Deputy Co-Mayor Mikey was the sibling to Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi.       

Q. What has Max accomplished thus far in office?
A. Mayor Max uplifts the spirits of people and brings joy to everyone with whom he comes in contact including the local community, Idyllwild visitors, and Max’s social media friends around the globe. He runs the Peace on Earth Team (POET) initiative for the world and helps people realize and participate in what each individual can do to create peace on Earth for mankind. He participates in hundreds of private meetings and events every year. He promotes causes and events that support all people. Each event has a purpose, and Max helps to achieve that purpose. He does a lot of fundraising to support worthy causes. Everything is non-partisan, non-political. Max and his team only do kind and loving things for people, and we do a lot of it.            

Q. Does Max have a budget? Did any part of the election proceeds fund his activities?
A. No, every dollar raised in the mayoral election went to Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) for the care of animals. His Chiefs of Staff fund his activities and do appreciate your support if you can help at any time.        

Q. Can Max run for President?
A. Max would love to run for President. He would do a great job and only do kind and loving things for the people!        

Q. Can I be Max’s friend on Facebook?
A. Absolutely, and he would love to be your friend. His Facebook page was updated by Facebook to be a Politician page, Mayor Max Politician, which you can Like the page. 

Q. Does Max have an Instagram page?
A. Yes, you can follow Mayor Max on Instagram and TikTok at mayormax1.

Q. How does Mayor Max make decisions?
A. For the Office of Mayor Max, we focus on the things that dogs can do. He is a good will ambassador for Idyllwild and greets the public every day. He goes to hospitals, schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and much more. He knows how to comfort a patient and bring joy in a tough situation. The Mayors are great fundraisers because more people attend an event if the Mayors are attending, and the event raises more money for the cause. When a signature is needed, we have an electronic paw print that we use along with the signature of the Chief of Staff, Phyllis Mueller. Human political issues for Idyllwild are resolved by the County of Riverside and not decided locally as Idyllwild is an unincorporated town with no local human politicians.

Q. Can we bring treats for the Mayor?
A. Yes, you can. The Mayor is a bit finicky with food and unlike most Golden Retrievers, he is not a chow hound. Vice Mayor Meadow, his sister, and Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi, his cousin, are chow hounds and will eat anything you bring. We prefer single-ingredient treats when possible. 

Q. What can we do to support the Mayor’s Office?
A. We do accept donations, and these are very helpful to us as the costs of running a free Mayor’s Office for Idyllwild are substantial. We have a Donate section on the website. Also, we would love your participation in Mayor Max’s Peace on Earth Team (POET) initiative by being a member and doing your best to be a loving and life-enhancing individual at all times. 

Q. What is Mayor Max’s life like when he’s at home and not being the Mayor?
A. Mayor Max the Second enjoys spending time playing with his sister, Vice Mayor Meadow. He also enjoys play sessions where he is running and retrieving balls. He loves to snuggle and be petted. He loves car rides and putting his head out the window when we are driving. The minute he is in the car, he paws on the window so we open it so he can put his head out the window. This includes if it is raining or snowing, no problem at all. He loves to go to the Dairy Queen and on any errand. A car ride means adventure and fun! Most of all, he is a sniffer, and he loves sniffing everything, even regular day everything that you can imagine even if he has sniffed it before a zillion times. If you spill ketchup on your shirt, and you wash your shirt several times, he will still sniff that spot where you spilled the ketchup! He says, “Any sniff is terrif!” 

Q. What is Mayor Max’s favorite food?
A. I have thought long and hard about this, and I believe his favorite food includes the cheeseburgers at Dairy Queen and vanilla ice cream pup cups. On the burgers, we just get them with cheese, the hamburger patty, and the bun, no other condiments. He cherishes the pup cups too. Both of these I believe are his number one foods being tied for first place! If you ever wanted to know what to get him for Christmas or his birthday, a Dairy Queen gift card would be at the top of his wish list. In dog treats, I believe his favorite is the chicken jerky dog treats from Costco. 

Q. How long has the Office of Mayor Max been in existence?
A. The tradition of the Office of Mayor Max of Idyllwild, California began in July 1, 2012.  July 1, 2026 was the beginning of our 15th year of being the Mayors of Idyllwild. There have been three generations of the Golden Retriever Mayors of Idyllwild. The third (and current) generation of the Mayors of Idyllwild began on December 10, 2022.

Q. What is Vice Mayor Meadow’s favorite food?
A. Vice Mayor Meadow is a chowhound and likes everything, even things she is not supposed to eat. When we take her on walks, she eats tree leaves like they are potato chips. It is difficult to walk her because she pulls for all of the leaves on the ground! I do think, though, that the Dairy Queen burgers and vanilla ice cream pup cups are in her top ranking along with the rotisserie chicken from Costco!

Q. How was Vice Mayor Meadow chosen at Golden Havoc Kennels and how was Golden Havoc Kennels chosen?
A. Golden Havoc Kennels was selected by Phyllis Mueller who conducted a nationwide and three-country search of Golden Retriever breeders looking for the same bloodline as Mayor Max the First and Mayor Max the Second. Phyllis was looking to find a new Mayor that would be very similar in the look and temperament of the prior mayors. After reviewing, researching, and speaking with a huge number of breeders and then visiting those that made the cut, Phyllis decided that what she wanted was at Golden Havoc Kennels. The breeder’s quality, cleanliness, excellence, and happiness of the thriving and vibrant dogs at this kennel, plus meeting onsite the extraordinary parents of the new litter, Phyllis made the decision to go with Golden Havoc Kennels. It worked out perfectly.

Once the puppies were born and it was time to select Meadow, Phyllis told the breeder that Phyllis and Glenn wanted the most active, the most mischievous, the most wild and troublesome female dog of the litter. The breeder pointed out Meadow, and Phyllis and Glenn loved Meadow. From the start, Meadow was excited to be with Phyllis and Glenn, and it was immediately mutual. It only took seconds to make the decision.

Q. Who are the parents of Vice Mayor Meadow the First and Mayor Max the Third?
A. The parents of Vice Mayor Meadow the First and Mayor Max the Third are McLean (the dad) and Storm (the mom) from Golden Havoc Kennels. They are both delightful dogs. Storm now lives in San Diego and sometimes attends the birthday party for Max and Meadow who thoroughly enjoy seeing their mom!

Once the puppies were born and it was time to select Meadow, Phyllis told the breeder that Phyllis and Glenn wanted the most active, the most mischievous, the most wild and troublesome female dog of the litter. The breeder pointed out Meadow, and Phyllis and Glenn loved Meadow. From the start, Meadow was excited to be with Phyllis and Glenn, and it was immediately mutual. It only took seconds to make the decision.

Q. Why was Meadow selected to be the Vice Mayor rather than the Mayor?
A. Phyllis decided to continue with the tradition of the Mayor of Idyllwild being a male dog since Mayor Max the First and Mayor Max the Second were male dogs. Phyllis and Glenn have always had male and female dogs. At the time of the first election, their female dog and one of their male dogs had passed away. Their surviving dog, Max, was entered into the election and ended up winning, becoming Mayor Max the First. It was simply the desire for continuing the tradition for the community of Idyllwild that Phyllis wanted to respect that tradition with a male dog who became Mayor Max the Third. In the eyes of Phyllis Mueller and Glenn Warren, all the Mayors of Idyllwild whether the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Deputy Co-Mayor, male or female, have equal responsibilities and status in their eyes.

Q. Does Vice Mayor Meadow think that she and Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi being girls deserve more bacon than Mayor Max the Third?
A. No. Vice Mayor Meadow and Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi just want abundant amounts of all foods. They are happy as long as they are eating, and they like to eat a lot! It is OK with them that food amounts are equal.

Q. Are you going to breed Meadow and/or Max?
A. No, we have no intentions of breeding either Vice Mayor Meadow or Mayor Max though it would be fun. Since Meadow and Max are siblings, they cannot be bred to each other. Plus, there are so many dogs in the world already that need homes, and Phyllis believes it would be impossible for her to part with any of the offspring.

Q. What is Vice Mayor Meadow’s stance on the mail carrier?
A. That is funny that you should ask that question about Meadow because it is Meadow that barks at the mail carrier and any delivery carrier or person that approaches the house, and even Phyllis and Glenn when they are on the property! Meadow “barks for all reasons and no reasons” as Phyllis likes to say. Meadow does not have a grudge of any kind, so she is nice to everyone. But she feels she must constantly exclaim that she sees you there. With Meadow, there is no chance of having a surprise visitor at the property. Meadow alerts the world of all visitors, including people, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, skunks, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, ravens, and more! Hark, She Barks!

Q. Does Vice Mayor Meadow prefer more walks or more snacks?
A. Without question, LOL, Meadow prefers more snacks. Meadow loves life, but she is very food-focused. She will even find every single crumb that is on the floor. She will eat constantly when out in the yard…leaves, sticks, pinecones, and more! Meadow would never starve if out in the wild for any amount of time because the world is made up of food. The entire planet is edible in her eyes!

Q. What is Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi’s favorite thing to do?
A. Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi’s favorite pastime is lounging in her “swimming” pool which is a five-foot wide, one-foot tall plastic pool for children and pets. She is in it so often that she rarely dries and often smells a little like wet dog and even mildew on occasion. She says she “likes to stay cool in my pool.” She also loves to go on errands of any kind, especially the Dairy Queen. It is so cute to see her when we are in the drive-through line at the DQ. She is on high alert and wagging her tail like crazy. Mitzi also thoroughly enjoys participating in the downtown visiting with the public along with Mayor Max the Third and Vice Mayor Meadow the First!

Q. What is Deputy Mayor Mitzi’s favorite flavor of ice cream at the Dairy Queen?
A. Vanilla!! She loves it!!

Q. Do you celebrate Mitzi’s birthday?
A. Yes, we always celebrate Mitzi’s birthday on May 26 annually. During our downtown visiting, we bring cupcakes for the public, and we announce that the party will be at Wooley’s at either 4 PM (Monday through Friday) or 2 PM (Saturday and Sunday). The party is great fun, and you are always invited. The address for Wooley’s is 54274 N. Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Q. How did you choose Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi from the litter?
A. Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi was chosen along with her brother, Angel Deputy Co-Mayor Mikey, at the same time because Phyllis and Glenn were getting two dogs from this litter to be the Deputy Co-Mayors of Idyllwild. Phyllis was looking for the most active puppies in the litter, and these two dogs were the most active and also they were inseparable and had a special bond with each other. Mitzi and Mikey were best friends their entire lives and spent every moment together. Mikey went to Heaven of old age in December 2024.

Q. How is Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi’s health?
A. Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi is doing very well. At 13 years of age as of this writing, she is getting great health reports from her veterinarians and is still very mobile and happy. We are thrilled with the condition of her health at this time. She has lost some of her hearing and eyesight, but she still gets around very well. Her incredible sense of smell makes her be able to hone in on whatever she needs.

Q. Who was the alpha dog of the second generation of the Mayors of Idyllwild?
A. Deputy Co-Mayor Mitzi was the alpha dog over Mayor Max the Second and Deputy Co-Mayor Mikey. Mitzi remains the alpha dog today over Mayor Max the Third and Vice Mayor Meadow. All the Mayors get along very well and spend time together, but Mitzi is the boss.

Q. Do the Mayors like bath time or do they run away?
A. The Mayors tolerate their baths but would prefer to skip them. They don’t mind getting into any kind of wet mischief, mud, or pools of water of any kind on their own. Water is not an issue for these Golden Retrievers.

Q. Are there any upcoming projects or events where we can meet you?
A. You can always meet the Mayor on any day of the year. Check out the Schedule to Meet Mayor Max section of this website for the dates and times. The big annual event for Mayor Max the Third and Vice Mayor Meadow the First is their birthday party, and that is always held on a Saturday in September which is announced in our annual calendar and on social media every year. It is always the first, second, or third weekend in September. It is a great party with free food and entertainment. You can bring as many family, friends, associates, and pets as you want. We can’t wait to see you!

Q. How old was Mayor Max the Second?
A. Mayor Max the Second passed away on July 30, 2022 at nine years of age. He was born on May 6, 2013.

Q. Where was Mayor Max the Second born?
A. Mayor Max the Second was born in Aguanga, California.

Q. How old was Mayor Max the First?
A. Mayor Max the First passed away on April 2, 2013 at 12 years of age. He was born on January 13, 2001.

Q. Where was Mayor Max the First born?
A. Mayor Max the First was born in Palmdale, California.

If you would like to know the answers to any other questions about any of the Mayors of Idyllwild, past or present, just send us an email at max@mayormax.com or text us at 949.525.0100. We will get right back with you!