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Pumba a Chowchow from Tralee is the nation’s cutest puppy, pictured with owners, Catriona and Taylor Dowling. Picture: Alan Place
A PUPPY from Tralee has won a national competition to find Ireland’s Puppy Of The Year.
Petmania announced seven month old Chow Chow, Pumba, as the winning puppy at their Grand Final event in Limerick City.
Pumba had a less ordinary start, soon after Pumba arrived to his new home, his proud owners Catriona and Taylor Dowling realised there was something up when he was walking into walls.
They soon found out that he was blind following a visit to their vet. Despite this Pumba has settled into his new home and is a bubbly puppy who is loved by his owners.
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He has a heightened sense of smell and hearing and never misses the opening of food despite his eye sight.
He has had to learn where the steps are in his home which was a challenge but now he is thriving and nothing can stop him. Pumba is obsessed with chewing shoes, he loves cheese and the beach.
After two months of public voting and over 66,000 votes, the 12 puppy finalists who hailed from all over Ireland gathered for the Grand Final.
Pumba will now feature in national campaigns and become the face of Petmania for 2019/2020.
They also received prizes worth over €1500 including food from Beta, grooming at Petmania’s Grooming Studios and a luxury minibreak from Irelands Blue Book Hotels.
Emily Miller, Petmania’s Marketing Manager, says “We are delighted to crown Pumba as this year’s Puppy of the Year, a deserving winner oozing with cuteness. This is our fifth year running the Puppy of the Year competition, entries and votes are growing hugely year on year. A massive thank you to everyone who got involved.”
