Mayor Hall of Fame

Mel AKA Horse – 2025

Breed: Great Dane

Platform/Desc: Who would be better for mayor than Morris the Horse’s doppleganger?

When he’s not ‘mel’lowing out on one of the Back Alley Boutique couches, you can find Mel chilling around all our nature trails. Always down for a day-long couch cuddle or an outdoor adventure (as long as it includes some treat breaks of course), Mel’s here to match any good vibes. His ears may not work (deaf dog), but his heart does twice as much to make up for it.

6’2″ on his hind legs, and a whopping 226 lbs, this big boy is running on a campaign of full bellies for all! Let’s all help raise money for our furry friends at Foothills Humane Society

Age: 6

Food: Hip & Joint Treats from Honeybee Hemp

Toby – 2023, 2024

Candidate: Toby Ziegler 

Breed: Staffy-Bully-Akita mix & 100% Pure Bred Good Boi 

When I was a baby, me and all my brothers and sisters were abandoned in an alley in Dallas. But a nice lady rescued us and then took us to a big party with other doggos and that’s where I met my mom. I fell asleep on her shoulder and started snoring so she’d have to take me home. I’m strategic, which is an impawtent quality in a Dog Mayor. 

Even though I wasn’t born in Tryon, my mom grew up here and I’m so hap that I get to grow up here too! Tryon is the best. Everyone is a fren. And there are so many good places to walk and play and so many good sniffs to sniff. If you elect me to be your mayor, my friend Toby the Catto has pawmised to be the deputy mayor. Toby & Toby are your winning team! I work really well with everyone no matter what kind of doggo they are, even if they are a catto. 

Age: 4

Favorite Food: Chimken

Judy Booty – 2022

Breed: Shitzu

Judith P Bootith, aka Judy Booty, was probably born around 2012, somewhere around the foothills of WNC. Her full backstory is not known, though Judy most likely grew up in the boondocks without an established place of residence. In October of 2021, Judy found herself in Landrum, SC in the backyard of a cat sanctuary. A kind lady found a 5 pound, one-eyed Judy wrapped in mats and wire. JB was taken to the Landrum Veterinary Hospital where the amazing Dana Mayer got involved with her case. Judy was adopted by Joe Pullara and Lauren Roy, soon after.

On September 27th, 2019, the citizens of Tryon, North Carolina elected their first dog mayor. There was one little catch, though..  The winner was me, Rusty Bunshine!

The Tryon Downtown Development Association teamed up with the Foothills Humane Society for a fun fundraiser that raised over sixteen thousand dollars for the shelter! It was a ruff field of over twenty candidates, including Charlie, Cutie Pie, Patches, and Alaska to name a few.  After many weeks of campaigning and debating, crowds of humans and four legged friends came out to hear the results.

2019 Candidates

2019 Results