The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Boy forgoes birthday presents to bring cheer to lonely dogs
dundee: Brown Street Kennels praise ‘exceptional human’
When birthdays come around, young boys will most likely ask for bikes, scooters, action figures or games.
But Dundee schoolboy Max Pow bucked that trend by asking his family to forget giving him birthday gifts and instead donate to some of the most lonely animals in the city.
The youngster, who has autism, turned 10 on Sunday.
When mum Karienne asked what gifts he wanted, he said he would rather hand treats and toys to dogs at Dundee’s Brown Street Kennels.
Max said he was inspired to do the good deed by his own dog TJ, a rescue dog taken in by the family four years ago who was described as his “best friend”.
He arrived at the Brown Street Kennels on the Friday before his birthday armed with a big stash of dog goodies, meeting resident pooch Peppie while doing so.
“I wanted to do something different for my birthday,” said Max.
“I thought of donations. I looked at TJ, our dog, and I thought ‘why not donate to the kennels?’
“It was the first time I have been (to the kennels). It kind of made me feel proud of myself.”
Brown Street Kennels rehomes stray dogs and others which can no longer be cared for by owners.
Max, who has three siblings – Robbie, Ollie and Amberley – said he hopes his actions will inspire adults to do the same on their own birthdays.
And he wants to continue the trend on his 11th birthday by reaching out to Dundee’s homeless.
Karienne, 35, said: “I am very proud. He is already talking about his next birthday and how he is going to do something to help the homeless.
“He has just always been really kind – that is just Max.”
She added: “We only got to meet Peppie, but Max loved that.
“The kennels looked really good. “It raises a wee bit of awareness for them as well.”
She added they were delighted that Peppie, a Bichon Frise, found a new home not long after Max’s story was shared across social media.
Brown Street Kennels posted: “When a wee boy swaps his birthday money for doggy treats you know you’re in the presence of an exceptional human. Max we salute you.”
I looked at TJ, our dog, and I thought ‘why not donate to the kennels?’ MAX POW