In the charming town of Mooresville, where community spirit runs strong, one leader stands out—not just for her dedication to the town, but for her impeccable ability to nap through meetings and charm both two-legged and four-legged citizens alike. Meet Mayor Reya, Mooresville’s official Dog Mayor, a 13-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier with a heart as big as her fan base.
Despite her age (though you’d never guess it), Reya has the energy and enthusiasm of a pup half her age, thanks to the amazing care she receives from her friends at Whole Pet Davidson—special shoutout to Dr. Zoe Forward! But her journey to the mayoral throne wasn’t always smooth. She came from a rough breeding situation and has had TPLO surgery on both knees due to some unlucky genetics. Yet, here she is, ruling Mooresville with grace, resilience, and a wagging tail.
So how did she land this prestigious position? The Mooresville Youth Council holds an annual election via Instagram, and Reya won by a landslide, securing 219 votes. Now, she spends her days ensuring Mooresville remains the best town for dogs and humans alike—one tail wag at a time.
A typical day for Reya includes lots of naps—because even a mayor needs her beauty rest. While her humans are off at work earning the kibble, she enjoys the royal life at home. Evenings are reserved for walks, dinner, and chewing her beloved Benebones before settling in for a full night of slumber.
Weekends, however, are a different story. That’s when Mayor Reya makes her rounds, strolling the neighborhood or heading downtown to check in on her favorite small businesses. She’s got quite the VIP list of friends, including NC Provisions, Fred & June’s, Dave’s Rockstar Records (where she swears they have the best treats in town), East Concepts, Sovereign Traditions, Brawley Seed Co, Four Corners Framing, and Sue’s Soap Shop. But her most favorite human? Peggy Popp. “She never pets me, but I love her,” Reya insists.
As Dog Mayor, Reya’s responsibilities extend beyond just looking adorable (though she excels at that). She attends major downtown events, has made appearances on WSIC morning radio and QC at 3, and even threw out the first pitch at a Mooresville Spinners game. Not bad for a pup with paws instead of hands!
If Reya had the power to pass new laws, she’d make sure dogs got even more playtime at public spaces—specifically, she’d love to run through the splash pad at Liberty Park before summer ends. And when it comes to offering sage advice, she’s been known to share her “pawsome” wisdom with Mooresville’s human Mayor, Chris Carney.
When it’s time to make important decisions, Reya prefers to do so from her throne—aka her mom’s chair or her outside bed. After all, every great leader needs a designated thinking spot.
Despite her busy schedule, Reya still makes time for the simple joys in life. Her favorite treats? Peaches from Barbee Farms (because this is North Carolina, after all). She’s also discovered that Mooresville has secret unlimited treat locations at Fred & June’s, Dave’s Rockstar Records, and NC Provisions—just let them know “Mayor Reya sent you.”
Reya has always had a big heart, especially for her fellow four-legged friends. She recently said goodbye to her beloved fur brother, who passed away in March 2024 from yucky bladder cancer. Though she misses him dearly, she carries on their adventures in his honor, sharing love and kindness with everyone she meets.
She’s also a big supporter of local charities, including Sheldon’s K9s and LKN Humane, encouraging her constituents to donate in her name. But her biggest mission? Spreading breed awareness. “I want people to know that pit bulls are not mean or scary,” she says. “I’m friendly and really just want to be petted by everyone.”
If Reya could switch places with a human for a day, the first thing she’d do? Drive a car with all the windows down. (Let’s be honest—she’d probably be better at parallel parking than some humans.)
Her take on the mail carrier? Total friend status. Unlike the classic dog stereotype, Reya adores her mail lady—mostly because she’s always delivering something exciting for her.
And if Mooresville were to celebrate an official dog holiday? Reya has a plan: “First, baths would be banned. Most importantly, humans would get the day off to spend with their dogs. We’d have a parade where each pup gets their own float, and we’d celebrate all the wonderful dogs in town.”
When asked for her ultimate piece of advice to Mooresville residents—both furry and human—Reya keeps it simple:
“Slow down and enjoy the small things in life—a car ride with the windows down, sunbathing, and a good belly rub.”
And with that, the Dog Mayor of Mooresville trots off into the sunset, one paw-shake and treat at a time.
