Adorable Alert: Who wins your vote? Meet the 32 cute contenders vying for the Nose of Tralee crown

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Waterford Nose Dedicated to Momo

Dear everyone,

I am Momo, a little brave Maltese. I am delighted to have been honoured with the title of "Waterford Nose of Tralee". However, as you read this, I have already crossed the rainbow bridge and been reunited with my other doggie brothers in heaven.

Saying goodbye was never easy, especially after receiving so much love from my family for over 16 years. Although I couldn't walk straight, Mom used to carry me around the neighbourhood and explore the beauty of Ireland together.

I know Mom did her best to help me with my heart disease, dementia, and arthritis. She prepared different supplements to make me feel better. Every day, she woke up at 6am to give me my heart medication and stayed awake during my restless nights due to dementia. We experienced countless dark nights and early dawns together.

Sometimes, I think she cared for me even more than herself. It was during this time that my mom came up with the idea for a social enterprise called "Senior Paws" to support owners of ageing dogs.

A month ago, Social Enterprise Ireland accepted the project as an official participant of The Ideas Academy.

Meanwhile, I was also excited to join the "Nose of Tralee" competition. However, my dementia worsened, and I couldn't stand properly during the first voting phase. On my last day, I had a stroke, and it was also the day I found out I made it to the "Waterford Nose." I knew it was time to say goodbye to my beloved family.

Each day with them was unique. I remember watching "The Never Ending Story" with Mom, Dad, and my grandmother, who flew all the way from Taiwan to see me. That's precisely what I want to tell my family: even though I'm no longer with them physically, my spirit will always be with them forever. I hope my story touches your heart.

I wish all the finalists the best and cherish every moment with their loved ones.

A special thank you to Pet Sitters Ireland for giving us the chance to create unforgettable memories :) My parents will donate my goodies to the Deise Animal Sanctuary, extending kindness to more furry friends.

With love and gratitude,

Momo