Irish Eyes

By Carol J. Douglas

The clouds looked ominous. “Please don’t let it rain on our parade,” said my friend, Maggie, as we waited. We were behind the float with the big rainbow and pot of gold featuring Paddy the Leprechaun. Our leashed dogs were eager to get started. Representing the area animal shelter, we had been invited to walk with our dogs in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. People saw firsthand that great pets could be adopted from the shelter. A dog food company had graciously donated dog biscuits for us to toss to the dogs in the crowd as we followed the parade’s path. St. Patrick’s Day was a big deal here because our town was settled by Irish immigrants and named after Dublin, Ireland.

“What are we waiting for?” I asked, glancing at my watch.

“I heard Paddy hasn’t arrived yet,” said Maggie.

After a few more minutes, we saw a tall man, with large pointed ears, red hair and beard, and tall green hat that matched his outfit right down to the big gold buckle. He walked toward the pot of gold on the float in front of us, looking every bit the part of Paddy, the Lucky Leprechaun. Like us, he had a dog on a leash. Naturally, it was an Irish Setter. The dog immediately spotted our dogs and was excitedly pulling Paddy over to us. All three dogs were barking and wagging their tails in excitement.

“Whoa, Lucky,” said Paddy as he approached. “I’m sorry,” he said, “Lucky seems to want to walk with you instead of riding on my float.”

I looked into the twinkling green eyes of the mischievous leprechaun. It was hard to tell what he really looked like behind the red wig and beard. But his green eyes danced. The dogs were sniffing each other eagerly.

“Do you mind if he has a biscuit?” I asked.

“No, but be warned, Lucky will be your friend for life if you give it to him,” he laughed.

I gave Lucky the biscuit and he eagerly devoured it.

Impulsively, I said, “I can walk him and you can keep an eye on him from your float if you’d like.”

Lucky looked up at Paddy beseechingly as if to say, “Please.”

Paddy hesitated. “Well, he was adopted from the shelter too. It’ll be like a class reunion.” Lucky yipped and pranced while the other dogs jumped around enthusiastically.

“Time to go Paddy!” someone shouted from the float.

Paddy handed me Lucky’s leash and winked. “See you after the parade,” he said waving.

Walking behind the float, we waved and tossed dog biscuits to the grateful dogs in the crowd. Then I began to hear distant rumbling.

“I have a feeling we’re going to get wet,” I said to Maggie. As if on cue, the sky broke loose. A torrential downpour started. People were running for nearby shelter. The dogs were nervous and tugged on their leashes almost dragging us away. Paddy’s float kept on going, but the rainbow and pot of gold were getting drenched.

“This way!” shouted Maggie. I ran behind her with both dogs. Knowing it was a long way back to our cars, Maggie said, “Let’s just go to the shelter, it’s closer!”

I nodded in agreement and we ran all the way there. Thankfully, she had the keys. The minute the door opened we ran inside. We were soaked but safe.

Laughing in relief Maggie said, “I’ll get some towels,” and went down the hall.

Shaking hard, the dogs sent water flying everywhere. Lucky was looking at me with questioning eyes.

“Don’t worry boy,” I said, “we’ll find your dad again.”

But I wondered how I would find him. I didn’t even know his real name. And he didn’t know mine. I realized that I didn’t even know what he really looked like. ‘I doubt he goes around town dressed like a leprechaun every day,’ I thought.

It took us quite awhile to towel off ourselves and the dogs. The rain was still coming down hard. Finally, about a half hour later, the rain began to taper off.

“I’ll go to the car and you stay here with the dogs,” said Maggie. “I’ll see if anyone knows where Paddy is so we can get Lucky back to him.”

“OK,” I said, though I had my doubts that she would be successful in finding Paddy.

Maggie was gone about 15 minutes when the doorbell rang. The security camera showed a tall handsome man with auburn hair. Could it be Paddy? He didn’t look anything like the leprechaun I met, but when I saw the gorgeous green eyes, I knew they were one and the same person.

Upon opening the door, Lucky spotted his dad, and began wagging his tail wildly before running over to greet him.

Paddy laughed with delight as the dog jumped all over him.

“Glad to see you too,” he said stroking his red fur. Then he turned to me, “Thank you so much for taking care of Lucky.” He held out his hand, “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. My name is Patrick McConnell, otherwise known as Paddy the Leprechaun.”

I felt a tingle as our hands touched, “I’m Erin Myers,” I said. “You’re very welcome. Lucky was no problem. He’s a great dog. How did you know he was here?”

“Well, I knew you were walking for the shelter so I had a hunch you would come back here. Do you work at the shelter?”

“Yes,” I said. “I started out as a volunteer because I love animals and was new in town and a little lonely. Then I was hired on.”

“I’m a volunteer too, but as a leprechaun,” he smiled, “I started at Children’s Hospital and soon I was asked to be in the parade. Volunteering helped me through a rough time too. My girlfriend broke off our engagement and I was depressed. Seeing the faces of the kids light up when they saw me and Lucky made my day.”

It was so easy to talk to Patrick and amazing how much we had in common. He asked me and my dog, Dixie, to go with him and Lucky to grab a bite to eat. There were brats and beer, and Irish Soda Bread being served at various booths. I was happy to accept.

Reluctantly, we stopped our conversation, as my cell phone rang.

“Can’t find Paddy,” said Maggie after I answered.

I laughed, “Sorry I didn’t text you. He’s right here.”

She was surprised but glad that Lucky was reunited with his dad. I hung up and turned to Patrick. Our eyes met. I saw a sparkle in his as he said, “This has been my lucky day.”

“Mine too,” I agreed,

When we left, a beautiful rainbow filled the sky.

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