‘Mia’ vies for Nose of Tralee title
By Gemma Good
Cootehill’s very own Alaskan Malamute 'Mia' has been nominated as this year’s Cavan contender in the Nose of Tralee. competition.
Mirroring the Rose of Tralee, the competition is organised by Pet Sitters Ireland.
Mia’s owner Jessica O’Brien was thrilled when her pet was selected as the Cavan Nose.
A midwife at Cavan General Hospital, Jessica confessed she is both a "dog person" and “obsessed” with the International Rose of Tralee festival.
“I would have entered as the Tipperary Rose a couple of times,” she revealed.
She decided to enlist her beloved Mia in the pet version of the competition.
“I just love all this kind of stuff,” she said, explaining the excitement when Mia’s Nose of Tralee sash came in the post.
Jessica reveals how Mia is much more than a pet and helped her through lockdown - becoming her isolation buddy when she contracted COVID-19, going for daily runs and being there for her when two of her grandparents passed away.
“For the week that I was home at the time of the funeral, she slept up on the bed beside me.
“It is not like her at all but she just knew there was something up,” recalls Jessica of those difficult days.
Originally from Tipperary, Jessica moved to Cavan three years ago to live with her fiance Shane Tiernan. The pair hope to tie the knot in March 2023. While Jessica was planning doggy day care for the big day, she came across the competition. She instantly thought of her three-year-old companion, whom the couple describe as “our child.”
Initially, Jessica had to upload a really cute photo of Mia. She found this particularly difficult.
“Everybody loves all the photos of their dog,” she said, explaining she found a photo of Mia playing in the winter time.
“She had snow on her nose and I just thought it was adorable.”
She also had to write a short piece about Mia.
“I actually put it that Mia was writing it.”
It was then up to the public to decide, which pet got to represent their county in the competition.
“It was a case that you got on to family and friends to get voting,” she said.
The competition is open to all pets with horses, cats and “every kind of pet” registered. The voting closed in mid-July when Jessica found out that Mia had made it to the top three pets in Cavan.
The next stage of the competition was down to the judges. The cuteness of the photo uploaded, the quality of the piece written and the number of votes in the first round all played a part in the selection process. Among the three Cavan finalists was Mia, a Chihuahua and a Rottweiler puppy.
“They were absolutely beautiful,” said Jessica, delighted she was not in the position to pick a winner.
“The result of that came the final 32,” Jessica explained. Each county on the island is represented, with thirty dogs and two cats in the running.
Owner of Pet Sitte's Ireland Kate McQuillan contacted Jesscia to say that Mia would be representing Cavan.
The next part of the competition allowed 10 days for a new photo to be taken of Mia, sashed up and ready for the stage.
The voting for the winner of the competition opened last Tuesday (August 3) and will remain open until August 24, when the winner will be announced live on Facebook and Instagram.
“She [Mia] has been with us since she was six weeks old,” Jessica explained.
Like her owner, Mia is from Tipperary. Jessica explained at the time, her mother had just bought a retriever named ‘Lexi’ who is just two weeks Mia's senior.
“They spent their first weekend in Tipperary together at six and eight weeks old.
“They’re besties, you can’t mention one name to the other but they go absolutely mad.”
Like many, the canines missed each other over lockdown but still kept in touch remotely.
Jessica spoke to the Celt from Wales where she is visiting family in Saundersfoot. She decided to leave Mia at home with Shane's family.
“She’s gone to crèche as they call it,” she laughed.
Saundersfoot being a dog friendly village, Jessica is constantly reminded of her furry friend.
“There are dogs everywhere,” she said, mentioning that there are even hotels and restaurants which welcome pets.
It being her first time in the area, Jessica said she will “definitely 100%” be returning with Mia.
“I have rang Shane’s sister every day since we got here and we do Facetime with Mia," she said.
“Mia was lying in the middle of the garden and I called her through the phone and she was wagging her tail and came over.”
Not one to leave Mia out, Jessica hopes to include her and Shane's wedding ceremony in Thurles. The couple have already purchased bandannas to make Mia the ‘Dog of Honour’ on the day. Father Joe Walsh, who has Cavan roots with his mother from Gowna, will be marrying the couple.
“He’s really bubbly and nice so I am strongly considering bringing her into the church if he will let me,” she said.
The wedding co-ordinator has already given the “go ahead” for Mia to be at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny afterwards for photos.
“The type of animal that she is, she talks to you,” Jessica explained, mentioning she wouldn't be without Mia on her big day.
Vote
Jessica urged people to go online and vote for the “friendliest dog” she knows, reminding people that voting can be repeated every 24 hours.
Voting can be done on Facebook, Instagram and through the Pet Sitters' website here https://www.petsittersireland.com/nose-of- tralee-2021/
“She’s so nosey and so involved in everything.
“She’s just amazing and that’s why I really want her to win.”
“I’m hoping that she might do a little bit better than me,” she concluded.
Monaghan competition
In neighbouring County Monaghan female border collie Honie will be representing the county. For the third time, Siobhan Cawley is the proud owner of the Monaghan nose.
“I feel she [Honie] should be the winner because she brings me so much happiness,” Siobhan gushed.
Honie is a very sociable dog and is “great with people from all walks of life.”
“She keeps me fit,” she said, explaining she cannot resist "those big brown eyes."