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Ballyjamesruff pooch bids for national title

Thomas Lyons


Cavan will bid for All Ireland glory at the end of August. If you are thinking it's in a sporting context then you are barking up the wrong tree. On the 22nd the 2016 Nose Of Tralee winner, Meath's Dexter, will pass over his crown, knowing he would hold it for just for one year, not furever.

Sandra Gandy lives in Ballyjamesduff with her canine companion Adria, who as you can see from the picture is quite fetching. Adria is hoping to be selected as top dog in the competition, providing her ambitions are not cur-tailed by representatives from across the country.

“I read about the Nose of Tralee last year and I entered one of my other dogs, Trinity. She made the final for the county, but didn't get picked. I entered Adria because she is really pretty. I got all my friends and family to vote for her. Last Saturday I found out she had won the Cavan leg, so now she represents the county in the overall final. She is competing against 30 dogs and a horse. The Kildare entrant is a horse,†Sandra says with unbridled enthusiasm.

The event, now in its fourth year, saw all types of pet owners submit a photo and a brief description of why their pet deserves to be 'The Nose of Tralee'. This year's line up is dominated by canines, but previous entrants have included a talkative cat, pigs and horses. Bird owners have yet to be represented, but no one suspects foul play.

The prizes for the winner are not to be sniffed at - they will receive a photo shoot with David McAuley photography, and a range of prizes from Pet Sitters Ireland, POD Tracker, Nest Cam, ScoobyBox and Naturo Pet Food. If the horse wins he will be financially stable!

Adria, who was adopted from Carrickmacross Dog Shelter in 2010, will represent Cavan against pets from other counties and presumably Muttropolitan areas. Sandra says that his pedigree is not 100% clear: “We think he is a pointer cross with a whippet,†but the lab report is not back to confirm that.

“She was found in a ditch at four weeks old along with her brothers and sisters who were all lucky enough to be adopted. Adria was very nervous when we first got her but with a lot of work has turned into a happy, goofball of a dog. She loves her doggy sisters, going for long walks and most of all she loves food!†Sandra says about the hound, who despite her ruff start, is a bone-a-fide winner.

Sandra says that if Adria was chosen as the winner they would make the prize available to a local dog charity, with whom they volunteer: “My husband Colin and I do volunteer work for Ferry Dogmothers. This is a network of volunteers who transport dogs all around the country. For example last week we transported a Doberman from Cavan to Donegal, a collie from Cavan to Navan, an Alaskan malamute from Mullingar to Cavan, a terrier from Cavan to Sligo and a lurcher from Cavan to Portlaoise.â€

In order for Adria to win she needs a pack of Cavan people to vote for her. Last year's winner attracted over 15,000 votes, so voters are asked not to paws for thought. Voting starts on August 8. 

The details of how to support your favourite pet and perhaps see Cavan achieve All Ireland glory in the Nose of Tralee can be found on Adria's Facebook page www.facebook.com/AdriaBabyDogÂ