THE ROSE of Tralee is enjoying being feted, wined, and dined this week but the Nose of Tralee will be no less royally celebrated.
One-year-old Stitch, a Maltese and Bichon Frise mix, has been crowned ‘The Nose’ after a dogfight of a different kind between 32 pups for the title.
The playful pup was adopted by Rhebogue woman Courtney Smith in August of last year, shortly after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system – as a means of coping with the difficult news. She credits Stitch with having helped her through the most difficult time in her life, as she was given the all clear in recent months.
After a hearty winning breakfast of doggie treats for Stitch, Courtney told the Limerick Post: “Being involved in this year’s Nose of Tralee was such a great opportunity for Stitch.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would win. It is such a surreal feeling, especially since Stitch has been such a supportive figure for me the last year. He is the best friend anyone could have.
“He has made 31 new ‘Nose’ friends online and was so grateful to be part of it. We can’t thank Pet Sitters Ireland, Nose of Tralee, David McAuley, and Tesco enough for allowing us to represent Limerick in this year’s competition.”
Courtney and Stitch also expressed their thanks to “the Limerick community for helping us canvas Stitch’s campaign and allowing us to hang up posters and flyers around Limerick.”
“Limerick has had a great year so far with the Rose of Tralee and the Limerick hurlers four-in-a-row title. Thank you again for sharing our story,” Courtney concluded.
