The Friday Flyer, March 7, 2008 - Article: Retirement, replacement may be in view for Max

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Handler Cindy Marana, pictured here, takes Border Collies Max and Daisy to the Golf Course lake on a recent winter morning to chase away coots. Max, now 12 and beginning to slow down, swims ashore after shooing birds from the area while Daisy looks on. The hope is that Daisy will learn from Max throughout this season and be able to take over his job at the Golf Course and area parks next year.

Retirement, replacement may be in view for Max

     Almost everyone loves a dog, as evidenced by the shock and outpouring of support after the fire at Animal Friends of the Valleys last week that killed over three dozen puppies and kittens. Canyon Lake has its own “pet” of sorts, a black and white Border Collie named Max, who, under the direction of Operations, has been shooing off coots from the Golf Course and parks since 1998.
     At last month’s POA Board meeting, Operations Manager Paul Johnson noted Max is getting older and taking medication for his aching joints; and, as a result, he is now limited to patrolling the Golf Course lake, Holiday Harbor and Sierra Park with handler Cindy Marana.
     Touted for his “evil eye” and herding instinct, Max originally was brought to Canyon Lake from North Carolina to harass the flocks of coots wreaking havoc on public lawns. He continues to do a good job, says Paul, but he’s getting older and can’t go to all the different parks he once did. Photographer Marti Norris, who took this photo, says Max still has that “evil eye” and won’t let a bird out of his sight. “He’s also still fast when he goes after them,” she adds.
     But now Max has a little sidekick named “Daisy,” another Border Collie who is following him around and usually enjoys the water as much as her mentor.
     According to Paul, Daisy and Max will continue to work together through November. “The true test will be to see how Daisy does on her own later in the season,” he says.