Pup who helped owner through chemotherapy crowned Nose of Tralee

A LIMERICK pup who stayed by the side of his owner while she underwent chemotherapy has been crowned 2023 Nose of Tralee.

One-year-old maltichon, Stitch, trotted into the life of Courtney Smith in August 2022, three months after she was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 

After winning the votes of the public, the pooch was crowned the Nose of Tralee competition - to the delight of Courtney, who said Stitch helped her cope with her diagnosis. 

“He just brought me so much joy, especially when I was doing my chemotherapy at the time, it was a distraction,” said Courtney. 

“I wasn't really coping well with the whole hair coming out and all that. He came into my life in August, and he has been with me ever since. He was like a companion during the worst time of my life really, he just knew to be by my side.

Speaking of Stitch, she noted: "He could tell I was sad and he just comforted me, he definitely is my best friend. I couldn't imagine anyone else being there with me."

Surrounded by family, Courtney and Stitch were watching the Nose of Tralee’s live stream on Facebook when they heard the good news. 

“I don’t know why, but I even started recording my reaction, just in case he did or didn’t win. The announcer was saying this winner's always by his owner's side and that he loves biscuits and I just knew when she said biscuits that it was Stitch,” she laughed.