Nose of Tralee finalist Apollo ‘is my rock’ says Athlone woman
Voting has opened today (Thursday) for this year’s Nose of Tralee final, with the owner of Westmeath’s representative describing the dog as her rock.
Apollo, a one-and-a-half year old Collie Shepherd mix, had been selected as one of 32 finalists after two rounds of public votes involving some 1,550 competitors.
Amanda Murniece, from Athlone, said: “Apollo, my beautiful Collie Shepherd mix, deserves to win the Nose of Tralee because he’s so much more than just a handsome face - he’s my rock.
“Apollo has helped me through so much within the year and a half I’ve had him and I am forever thankful to have the best boy by my side,” she explained.
Amanda outlined that her 15-year-old collie passed away in January, followed four weeks later by her cat.
“It was the hardest time of my life,” she explained. “I struggle with mental health every day and with anxiety attacks.”
Amanda soon afterwards came across a litter of collie/shepherd mix puppies. When she saw Apollo she “instantly fell in love with him” and from the first day she said Apollo has been her biggest supporter.
“Apollo brings joy to everyone. You might be having a tough day but he will make sure to make you feel better, whether it is him having his zoomies around, knocking anything in sight and thinking he’s a sports car, or bouncing around like tigger, he will brighten your day
“Everyone needs an Apollo in their life. He knows how to brighten anyone’s day and he just naturally knows when you need him the most,” Amanda said.
She explained how she wanted to spread the message that, even if you feel down, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel which, in her case, was Apollo. “I honestly don’t know where I would be without him.”
Amanda now intends to have Apollo therapy trained and to bring him to schools and other locations.
“We are going to be spreading awareness about mental health every day because it’s so important to us,” she said.
Public voting reopens on July 24 and closes on August 18. One lucky pet will be named the 2025 Nose of Tralee on August 19.
Voting is online at: www.petsittersireland.com/final-nose-2025/
If would like to keep up to date with Apollo’s journey, look for the Westmeath dog on Instagram and TikTok, under the handle: @apollo_colliex