Kerry laughs, the same snort he gave when I had asked if they liked going in the water. The then one-year-old poked his nose between the bars of a backyard gate and the two struck up an instant friendship. ', Readers react to Barrow takeaway's new hygiene rating. The three dogs certainly put the spring in springer as they launch themselves into the water, chasing a hefty stick thrown from the shoreline by their owner Kerry Irving. Kerry suddenly had a purpose to go out - to see Max. Is climate change killing Australian wine? In a Facebook post Mr Irving said Max "fell asleep" in Manesty Woods near . The BBC programme has a regular slot called 'One Big Thank You' which sees deserving members of the public rewarded for their work. Hope Park Charitable Trust and Max Statue Upkeep - GoFundMe Famed for its lakes, mountains and fells, this spectacular corner of northwest England has been a fitting inspiration for artists and poets through the ages. ', Readers react to Barrow takeaway's new hygiene rating, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. Live broadcasts of his daily walks were credited with helping people cope with depression and isolation. Our one-in-a-million Max the Miracle Dog, also known as Max Out in The Lake District, sadly gained his Angel wings on Wednesday 6 April. "You cannot go for a walk with a dog and not just feel happy.". Max has even met royalty! I ask, suddenly worried that they might not. Click here to upload yours. A therapy dog who was given the animal equivalent of an OBE has been immortalised in bronze. The 13 rooms are resolutely old fashioned, with well-worn furniture and floral wallpapers. Available throughAmazonand all good book stores. ', Readers react to Barrow takeaway's new hygiene rating. searching events in no time. On a hot sunny day with no cloud cover, it's not a good idea to walk the dogs - or a normally deskbound journalist - too far, so before too long we head back towards our starting point. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Where to drink Santon Bridge Inn. "It was a pure mistake," Kerry says, as we are showered by three enthusiastic spaniels shaking themselves dry. Full of life and trouble, he has one speed, 100mph! Read more about how we personalise ads in the BBC and our advertising partners. Suddenly people were watching and I realised that my dogs were giving a lot of joy to people. Kerry was given two dog collars which said: "One Big Thank You". Max died a week or so after being diagnosed with a suspected brain tumour. As Kerry recounts in his memoir Max the Miracle Dog, they once arranged a surprise meeting with a woman who had terminal cancer. If theres one thing I love about the Lake District, its the pubs, says Stephen Dodd, general manager of The Drunken Duck. Max (centre) and his fellow springer spaniels Paddy and Harry have become internet sensations, Max, Paddy and Harry can often be found enjoying a dip with a stick, Kerry Irving says there is something special about a springer spaniel, Tewitt Tarn is a popular swimming spot for the trio, The spaniels have built up a global fanbase, Kerry and co had another royal encounter when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Keswick a few months after the Buckingham Palace garden party, Max, Paddy and Harry are also good posers for pictures, It's safe to say they do like tennis balls. "It's always been about the eye contact with Max, the way he looks at you and you just feel he cares," Kerry says, as Max sits a short way away, appropriately enough gazing at us as a soggy stick hangs from his mouth. You can change these settings by clicking Ad Choices / Do not sell my info in the footer at any time. Kerry still has to watch every step he makes as a result of his injuries, and is mindful that his back pain could come back at any time. Many contained donations to the PDSA, a charity for which Kerry and his canines have raised more than 244,000 in the past three years, 100,000 of which has been raised in the past six weeks through events including climbing Ben Nevis. Max's owners were struggling to give him the time he needed so were happy for Kerry to take their dog out for walks. "Look at them," he says, as they circle us, sniffing their way across fields and through large tufts of long grass that obscure all but the tips of the dogs' tails from our view. You see he saved me from an illness that unwittingly brought me anxiety, panic attacks, an incredible guilt complex, sleep deprivation, the feeling of being worthless, to being an unwanted burden, the loss of friends and of all my confidenceIt was an illness that put me in a downward spiral, very near to the edge of ending it all. Kerry suddenly had a purpose to go out - to see Max. During Neolithic times, Langdale was an important centre for stone quarrying and toolmaking, and some of the valleys paths are thought to have been established by ancient Britons to access a prehistoric axe factory, hidden away among the shattered slopes of slate beneath Pike of Stickle. In February Max was presented with the PDSA Order of Merit, also known as the animal OBE, for his "outstanding contribution to society". While Kerry was under the impression cameras were filming a documentary about dog walking, actor Jason Watkins surprised him. We are meeting the day after Max's 13th birthday, an event which saw more than 1,000 birthday cards cascade into his Keswick home. Read about our approach to external linking. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden sausage tester, Sell more tickets through digital marketing. Read about our approach to external linking. Mr Irving said seeing Max gave him a reason to get out of the house and he eventually adopted him. We are meeting the day after Max's 13th birthday, an event which saw more than 1,000 birthday cards cascade into his Keswick home. "I was trying to take a picture and accidentally started a video. You can still browse your favorite events on our Read Max the Miracle Dog available from It was a particular favourite of Alfred Wainwright, whose Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells are still the choice for many hikers. Fix the Fells who protect and maintain the erosion of upland footpaths throughout the Lake District, You see he saved me from an illness that unwittingly brought me anxiety, panic attacks, an incredible guilt complex, sleep deprivation, the feeling of being worthless, to being an unwanted burden, the loss of friends and of all my confidence. Max (centre) and his fellow springer spaniels Paddy and Harry have become internet sensations, Max, Paddy and Harry can often be found enjoying a dip with a stick, Kerry Irving says there is something special about a springer spaniel, Tewitt Tarn is a popular swimming spot for the trio, The spaniels have built up a global fanbase, Kerry and co had another royal encounter when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Keswick a few months after the Buckingham Palace garden party, Max, Paddy and Harry are also good posers for pictures, It's safe to say they do like tennis balls. Their fundraising and spirit-raising have seen them win awards and earned Kerry, Angela and Max a visit to a Buckingham Palace Garden party in 2019, where Max wooed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Where to drink Also try the Hawkshead Brewery in Stavely. Langdale has a life of its own, Nick continues. In many ways, its more akin to the Scottish Highlands than the rest of the Lake District: a deep, five-mile slash carved out from the mountains of the Scafell Range, cut through by Englands deepest lake, Wastwater, and framed by scree slopes a thousand feet high. Langdales name derives from the Old Norse for long valley, and its been an irresistible draw for walkers since the early days of Lakeland tourism in the mid-19th century. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. #BeMoreSpaniel Tewitt Tarn is an idyllic pond high in the hills above Keswick in Cumbria. We use local storage to store your consent preferences on your device. PDSA . Read about our approach to external linking. To the north are the imposing green and grey cliffs of Blencathra, to the south, glazed in the haze of hot summer days, the steep slopes of Helvellyn. A hiker has died in the Lake District after falling nearly 150 metres (500ft) while trying to reach a remote cave made popular by a BBC television series . He said the therapy dog was "our hero, a true legend". Harry is a big but very gentle pup. Kerry Irving was confined to his house and considering suicide after suffering an excruciating back injury in a car accident. Every day gave us memories and every step with you beside us was a privilege.". The A Word's Lake District filming locations uncovered 'Are you ready, Max? Writing this book may go a little way to repaying Max, but the debt is much larger than that. "You cannot go for a walk with a dog and not just feel happy.". , I must have seen every fell in Langdale from every angle over the years, he says, but I still see something new every time I go out on the hills. Kerry laughs, the same snort he gave when I had asked if they liked going in the water. Outside, a tumbledown store houses the Barngates Brewery, renowned for its range of quirkily named ales such as Mothbag, Tag Lag and Chesters Strong & Ugly. Sadly Max died of old age last year and a small statue was created in his honour at the Lake District. Hiker dies trying to find Lake District cave made popular by BBC show You need to keep your wits about you. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Where to drink The Fish Inn. The lightweight mobile page you have visited has been built using Google AMP technology. Max helped me win my personal battle with depression. Read about our approach to external linking. We are here to help! Tewitt Tarn is a popular swimming spot for the trio. Max showed me the very essence of a true companionship. Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. "The friendships, the changes in people's lives, all through a dog.". "I started getting all these messages from people telling me how just seeing pictures of Max cheered them up," Kerry says, as we stroll in the shade of the rocky outcrops of Low Riggs. "Don't make a bucket list, a list of things to do, but rather a bucket of memories. Kerry Irving was confined to his house and considering suicide after suffering an excruciating back injury in a car accident. I ask, suddenly worried that they might not. Max gave me back my self esteem, brought me a brighter future, introduced me to a new thought process. Kerry started a separate page for Max, and that's when he realised the soulful stare that had helped him was also providing comfort to others around the world. "I started getting all these messages from people telling me how just seeing pictures of Max cheered them up," Kerry says, as we stroll in the shade of the rocky outcrops of Low Riggs. Max was joined by Paddy (another English Springer Spaniel) in April 2017, Paddy (KC Reg Paddy Legend of The Lakes) is a beautiful but mischievous character. Purchase tickets, Read about our approach to external linking. Ourdogs livelife to the full and you can follow ourdaily photographicadventures on Facebook and Instagram, search for Max and Paddyout in the Lake District. It has all the homely pub trappings and hosts its own beer festival. Events.com Browse is curated to help you find and attend events you love. Max out in the Lake District - YouTube And then, with a splash that sends a snipe and three gulls soaring out from the rushes, Max, Paddy and Harry arrive. It'd designed to get people outside in a bid to improve their mental health. 21 December 2021 Kerry Irving Monty was missing for two days A spaniel that was lost for two days has been found by the owner of Max the Miracle Dog and his other pets. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Max (centre) and his fellow springer spaniels Paddy and Harry have become internet sensations Kerry Irving was confined to his house and considering suicide after suffering an excruciating back. Read about our approach to external linking. Winster to Hawkshead Hill: Best for food and ale Its lunchtime at The Drunken Duck and theres not an empty table in sight. I ask, suddenly worried that they might not. He wrote: "This small dog with the waggy tail and hugest of hearts, gave love and hope to thousands of people worldwide. The then one-year-old poked his nose between the bars of a backyard gate and the two struck up an instant friendship. "Max's legacy and story will continue to grow and inspire for many years to come. To the north are the imposing green and grey cliffs of Blencathra, to the south, glazed in the haze of hot summer days, the steep slopes of Helvellyn. Social media. By this time Max has already got into the back of Kerry's van and is lying on his bed, his eyes half-closed, his tongue lolling from his gently panting mouth. Ruffwear UK Ambassador "It's always been about the eye contact with Max, the way he looks at you and you just feel he cares," Kerry says, as Max sits a short way away, appropriately enough gazing at us as a soggy stick hangs from his mouth. 27K views, 1.5K likes, 471 loves, 172 comments, 175 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Max Out in the Lake District: And BBC Look North #proud 2023 BBC. Jason then led a group of other people who wanted to say thank you to Kerry in a heart-warming moment. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. A statue of the springer Spaniel has now been set up on a bench in his home town of Keswick. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Paul Titley the Mayor of Keswick said the location for Max's statue is yet to be confirmed, but they're hoping it will be displayed in Hope Park, on a bench made from local slate, which will allow visitors to sit with Max's statue and take a photo with him. We pay for videos too. The statue, designed by local sculptor Kirsty Armstrong, was paid for by a crowdfunding campaign, which raised 26,000 in a single day. This slate-fronted inn in Great Langdale has been a hikers favourite for 300 years, and its still the valleys best place for a nights sleep. Kerry understands the joy they bring; it was the same joy Max first gave him 12 years ago that he says saved his life. Lake District | The Independent Read about our approach to external linking. Meanwhile, at the nearby Masons Arms overlooking the scenic Winster Valley, the monthly events calendar takes in everything from culinary masterclasses to country markets. "Do they actually like balls?" Join Max Paddy and Harry, three English Springer Spaniels living the dream in the English Lake District Max was awarded the PDSA Order of Merit on 19th Febru.