A brave and loveable pooch from Ballinasloe is hoping to be crowned top dog in a national competition which is taking place as part of World Animal Week, and is calling for supporters to get voting.
Pedigree and Whiskas, as well as RTE and some of the country’s biggest welfare organisations, have teamed up to create a competition to find Ireland’s Best Loved Dog and Cat as part of the celebration of World Animal Week which is taking place this week, October 4 to 10.
One of the four finalists in the Top Dog 2010 category is 13-year-old Blackie from Newbridge, Ballinasloe, a tough little fighter who has twice battled with cancer but his tail never stops wagging and his family never stop chasing after their loveable and playful pet.
“We’ve had him since he was a baby, he is the best in the world, there just no stopping him,” said proud owner Jacintha Burke.
“Blackie is a major part of our family, he loves nothing more in life than a spin in the car with his head out the window. The last couple of years have been hard for him. We found a tumour on his leg and it was cancer but it never slowed him down. We had it removed but 18 months later it was back, growing faster and bigger, so there was another operation in April which lasted for four hours. There was a skin graft because they had to remove so much this time. Today thankfully he is strong and healthy.
“I want to stress to all dog lovers out there to ensure that they check their pets for lumps. It’s so important to catch it early. With Blackie the cancer was so aggressive that they had to take part of the muscle. It was a very delicate operation. He is a great dog, he is my baby,” said Ms Burke.
Voting for the finalists has already begun but it is not too late to ensure that this Galway dog is the winner. The results will be unveiled on the Colm Hayes show on RTE 2fm during World Animal Week.
By voting you will also be helping SPCAs and welfare organisations across the country, as Pedigree and Whiskas will be donating a meal for every online vote made.
For more information and to vote log onto www.rte.ie/worldanimalweek/topdogs
