Could Kilkenny's Jerry Joe be the Nose of Tralee?

A Callan canine is in the running to be named this year's Nose of Tralee!

Jerry Joe the dachshund is proud to be representing Kilkenny in the nationwide competition for our best friends.

From an impressive pool of 1650 entries, just 29 beautiful dogs and three cats have made it through to the next stage of the competition, which is run by Pet Sitters Ireland - but Jerry Joe is the most handsome, so says his family!

Jerry Joe lives in Callan with his 'mother' Danielle Doran and was entered in the competition by his 'sister' MaryAlice Wildasin. 

Full of character and devoted to his family, little Jerry Joe is about three and a half years old. His journey to his Kilkenny home was an adventure! 

Having had pet dachshunds for many years, Danielle moved to Callan from the USA and decided the time was right to have another pet. MaryAlice got in touch with a family up the country who had one year-old Jerry, as he was then, through the Rosog equine and dashing hound rescue. 

He had been named Jerry after the favourite cartoon character of a younger family member!

When he arrived in Callan his new family wanted to make his name their own. MaryAlice was inspired by the tradition of men in the West of Ireland who often have 'double-barrell' names. Taking further inspiration from her own grandfather's name, the pup became Jerry Joe!

When they got his passport Danielle and MaryAlice discovered Jerry Joe was born in Hungary! And there was more to the little dog's story, they discovered. Jerry Joe is a 'Covid Dog' - meaning he was born during the Covid restrictions and when the movement of people was restricted it meant dogs had less of an opportunity to socialise with humans and other dogs.  Because of this Jerry Joe has had to undertake a little bit of training and now he is coming along well.

He's a loving and loyal best friend to Danielle, never leaving her side - even when she goes to the bathroom! She would encourage anyone who is thinking of getting a dog to go to a rehoming charity.

Jerry Joe loves to hop in the car with Danielle to go to SuperValu or Aldi in Callan - especially if he gets his favourite treat of icecream! MaryAlice says he would hop in her mother's lap if he could, but settles for resting his head on her arm.

Full of personality, Jerry Joe is a strong willed dog, like many dachshunds. He would love for everyone to vote for him in the Nose of Tralee competition. Online voting opens on August 1, and will end on the August 19, with the announcement of the winner on August 20. See https://www.petsittersireland.com/nose-2024/ after August 1.