LI cop and his dog are a big deal at East Islip St. Patrick's Day Parade

It's hard to miss John T. Owen and his walking partner, Reagan, at a St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Owen, an East Islip native and Nassau County Police Department lieutenant, stands around 6-foot-4, and around his waist stands Reagan, a 5-year-old white Irish wolfhound that at first glance might seem a bit intimidating — but much like her owner is big but relaxed and very friendly.

“People love to pet her, and she loves people,” says Owen, who marched with Reagan in the Sunday's annual East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “She’s great with pictures.”

Sure enough, some parade-goers stopped and took photos with Reagan. At one point, Josephine McFadzean asked if Reagan would take a picture with her granddaughter Faith, who reached out as most toddlers might touching and petting the dog who’s about the same height as her stroller — and Reagan was happy to oblige.

“What a nice dog!” Josephine said as Faith reached out.

Owen says he has trained her to march in parades by taking long walks, and she got used to the noise pretty quickly.

“I can’t take her in all parades though, as I’m also in the police marching band,” he says, “so I’m pretty busy in March, but today [as an officer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division Seven, located in East Islip] it’s my chance to walk with Reagan.”

SEE PHOTOSPhotos: St. Patrick's Day parade in Jamesport

While Reagan is docile, Owen explains that the breed is no pushover.

“The Irish wolfhound is the official mascot of the 69th Infantry,” Owen points out, referring to the U.S. Army regiment, also known as the “Fighting Sixty-Ninth.” “The reason why they picked the Irish wolfhound, they say, is because the dog is gentle and strong, but fierce when provoked.”

Is there anything that riles up Reagan?

With a laugh Owen admits, “Well, she doesn’t like when I hug my wife… then Reagan’s thinking, ‘Get away from her, you scoundrel!’”