Meet Ace, The Rescue Pup Who Will Rule Smyrna High

SMYRNA, TN – Smyrna High School's long tradition of live mascots will return this fall, as Ace, a 3-year-old bulldog, makes ready to roam the halls and sidelines. As he'll no doubt be beloved by students, teachers and fans, it's a heckuva upgrade for the pup.

For most of his life, Ace lived, in a manner of speaking, at a puppy mill, used as a stud male, rarely leaving a small cage, SHS assistant principal and Ace's new owner Mike Messerly told the Daily News Journal.

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Once school begins in August, Ace will ride to school with Messerly, walk the hallways, be cared for by Smyrna's veterinary sciences class and watch sporting events alongside cheerleaders on the sidelines.

Smyrna has a long tradition of live mascots, starting with Mac, followed by Little Mac, who also Messerly's charge. Murphy succeeded Little Mac, but he died unexpectedly and the school's been without a mascot for two years. Smyrna is the rare Rutherford County high school which can employ a live mascot - La Vergne, thankfully, has never thought it wise to bring in a live wolverine - and Messerly told WSMV it adds something to the student experience and provides a pleasant respite from the stresses of school.

“It’s great for school spirit,” he told the station. “When the dog walks in the hall or in the classroom, it’s just sort of a stress relief. It’s almost like a comfort situation. It gives them a few minutes to pet the dog and forget they're stuck in school."

Messerly told the DNJ the operators of the breeding operation listed Ace for sale on Craigslist and a North Carolina bulldog rescue group took him in, from which he came to live with Messerly and his family. Having never really had a life outside his cage, Ace has had to be house-broken and taught to walk on a leash, but, Messerly told the paper, he's doing well in his obedience courses and should be good to go come August.

In the meantime, he's doing some good work on social media with his own Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Tell Mrs. Williams I want to be in the first show next year! #TonyDreaming #TonyAwards #shannonstrong #serioustheaterface pic.twitter.com/i7drkgxBW7
— SHS Mascot - Ace (@TheSmyrnaMascot) June 11, 2018

#FridayFeeling #weekendvibes pic.twitter.com/PChBrhUEmQ
— SHS Mascot - Ace (@TheSmyrnaMascot) June 8, 2018

I might need to hire better security. #ladiesman pic.twitter.com/DGofUAoyyt
— SHS Mascot - Ace (@TheSmyrnaMascot) June 4, 2018

Image via Smyrna High School