Max was calved on Guy Fawkes Day 1960, at the National Marine Aquarium, Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth, Great Britain. His parents were both in show business, and hoped that Max would be content to follow in the family trade. However, Max quickly grew restless.

One warm July evening, Max ventured out to see the world. He spent the next few years backpacking the European countryside, meeting interesting people and making lots of friends.

Max settled in London in his 17th year, finding odd jobs here and there in the service industry. His noble features, humble nature and keen wit made him much sought after for the large parties and special affairs thrown in the wealthy villas in the country.

It was on one of those nights, in which he met the wealthy plush toy Barron, Arthur C. Anemone at A.C.'s palatial estate in Weybridge. A.C. was in need of a footman, and, even though Max didn't have any feet, A.C. hired him for the job at a quite substantial salary for the time, plus room and board.

Max liked the atmosphere and his footman's livery looked fine on his stout frame. But, what Max loved most about his new position was catching the occasional glimpse of the beautiful young housemaid, Pearl.

Max's attention did not go unnoticed, and it wasn't long before he and Pearl were married in the Grand Hall of A.C.'s estate. A.C.'s wedding gift to the blissful couple was a pair of plane tickets to the US and the keys to A.C.'s winter cottage in Sewell's Point, Florida. Max and Pearl took to sunny south Florida like fish to water, and Max promised Pearl that one day, it would be their home.

When they returned to Weybridge, A.C. asked Max to be head butler of the estate. Titles for those in service were becoming a bit archaic, but A.C. insisted that Max take on the responsibilities and privileges of the head butler position. He and Pearl moved into a part of the house which was next to the kitchen and contained its own bedroom, sitting area, and its own water closet with a built in tub and shower.

With room and board paid for, Max and Pearl were able to save a tidy sum and one day Pearl got the idea that they should open a shoppe in the village. Competition was fierce, but they knew that by keeping profits relatively small and providing a good value, they could earn enough customers to make a good living, and despite all of the government's hoops, barriers and fees, they managed to open, and with the help from Max's position at the estate, they also managed to make a small profit in the first year, and a little more the next, and the next. And so it went, Max managing the Anemone estate and Pearl running the shoppe in the village. It was a good life, and they were quite happy.

Time marches on. In the summer of 2015, Arthur C. Anemone passed away. The profits from the plush toy business had waned over the years and the cost of the estate's upkeep had nearly consumed everything. The bank claimed the estate, but he had willed his most cherished possession to Max and Pearl - an immaculately cared for 1920 Rolls Royce Phantom. It was time for Max to make good on his promise to Pearl.

Pearl sold the shoppe, Max sold the Phantom for £158,000, and they used part of it as a down payment on a small home in Port Salerno, Florida, where they live today. Now, they're opening a new shoppe on the internet, using the same strategy of low prices and good value which served them so well in the past. And, since it's going to be online, you won't even have to leave your home to visit and peruse the aisles of Max and Pearl's store.

Thanks for listening to my story.

Your friend,
Manatee Max