My dog and I were stuck inside on lockdown but little did we know what adventures were about to begin! Mammy had just left for town; I was concentrating on my maths when all of a sudden I heard “Ava!” I looked around but nobody was there except Patches. “Am I day dreaming?” I asked not expecting a reply. “No! I’m talking to you! Follow me!” she said excitedly. “Wow! I didn’t know dogs could talk. Where are we going?” I asked. “Just follow me” she replied. I was so excited that I forgot about finishing my homework. Patches led me to the oak tree in the garden. “What are we doing here?” I asked. Patches whispered “This is where the secret underground dog tunnel is!”
Down in the tunnels there was every breed of dog you could imagine! “Patches” I asked “Why are there no other humans?” Patches explained that every year one dog gets to bring their human to the tunnels! Only humans who believe in the power of dogs are allowed. “Don’t worry Patches your secret is safe with me” I promised. Suddenly an old Collie ran into us. “Sorry!” she said “I’m Molly, can you help me? I’m blind and lost.” I gave her head a rub and asked her where she lived. “Apple-tree Estate in Wexford” she said softly. “I don’t know where that is” worried Patches. “I do!” I exclaimed. “But I only know the way on the road” I realized. “The tunnels are right under the roads” shouted Patches! “Great, we can bring Molly home” so I took off my bandana, tied it to Molly’s collar and set off.
It took an hour to get to Wexford but soon Molly was dancing excitedly. “I can smell my house, Thank You!” she yelled. As soon as Molly was safely in her garden Patches set off down the tunnels running as fast as she could. Eventually we reached a large den filled with dog beds and chew toys, and lots of pictures of old dogs on the walls. An Irish Wolfhound sat on a giant dog bed. “This is Cú, King of Dogs!” patches explained. Cú turned to me. “Ava you are the only one who ever helped Molly. You were very brave to help a lost dog. You saw past her dirty, shaggy coat and helped a dog in need. If you are ever in trouble, show any dog this bracelet and they will help you - I promise!” he said giving me a bracelet with “CÚDOG” written on it. “Thank you!” I said giving him a scratch behind the ear. “Ava we must go now, your Mammy will be home soon” called Patches, so I put on the bracelet and followed Patches home.
When we got back I sat down at the kitchen counter to finish my homework, but it was all done! Just as I was about to ask Patches my Mammy walked in the door calling “Are you done your maths Ava?” and I replied “Yes”. I looked at Patches and she winked at me!