"Blessed are you, Lord God,
maker of all living creatures.
On the fifth and sixth days of creation,
you called forth fish in the sea,
birds in the air and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless Rex, and we thank you for the joy and companionship that he gave his family.
By the power of your love, May we always praise you
for all your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.

Father Nick sprinkled holy water over the small grave, marked with a little headstone reading simply, "Rex". As he finished his prayer, Rick wiped his eyes on his sleeve, then squeezed the small hand tucked into his arm.

"Thank you, love." Laurie whispered, then stepped forward with a small bouquet of violets and roses. Laying it on the ground, she bowed her head, and quietly said, "Thank you, Rexy, for always watching over us, and being such a loving and playful dog." Audibly sniffing now, she turned and came back to stand next to Rick, who handed her a clean handkerchief.

"Thank you, Laurie. I know it's hard to say goodbye to Rex, but just remember he was happy and not suffering, or by himself." Father Nick told her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Laurie nodded, not quite trusting her voice.

"Bye, Rexy." Rick spoke at last, then led the small group of family and friends back to the ranch. Hanging back to speak with Oscar and Rudy, he found they were comforting Ricky and Ceci.

"But why did he die, Uncle Oscar?" Ricky spoke, scowling to keep from crying.

"I'm sorry, Ricky. But we know he was in pain….and losing control of his being able to walk. He always loved you kids, though." Rick explained, wiping his eyes then pulling his tall nephew into a heartfelt embrace. At once he felt Ricky start to sob. "It's okay, son….let it out."

Behind him, Rick heard Ceci crying, then Oscar quietly talking to her. After a moment, he said, "Ricky, remember the time Rex jumped in the popcorn your Auntie made for your birthday?"

A muffled snort came from the teenager, his sobs quieting. "Yeah, Uncle Rick, he made such a mess, and Auntie Laurie couldn't yell at him, he was so silly."

"Well, as long as you remember him like that, he's never going to hurt or be sick again." Rick told him. Ricky raised his face from his Uncle's wet shoulder, then laughed as Rick handed him a Kleenex. "Remember when Dad had a cold, and Rex barked everytime he blew his nose?"

"I do, you kids used to try to get your father to blow his nose for days after his cold was gone." Rick chuckled. Slinging his arm around his nephew, Rick led him back to the ranch, reminding him of all the good times they had with the playful dog. As they reached the kitchen, already full of their friends, Ricky turned to his uncle.

"Thanks Uncle Rick….for letting us share Rex….he was so much fun. Is Auntie Laurie okay?"

"She will be, son. As long as you kids keep her happy, she'll be fine." Rick assured him.

In the days that followed, all their friends and family rallied around the Simons, and Rick was grateful for all the support they received. Laurie was dry-eyed but very quiet, and Rick decided they needed a change.

"Sweetheart?" he called, the morning his brother and Linda took off for Las Vegas. Laurie stuck her head out of the kitchen, flour on her face from baking.

"Yes, Rick?"

"Whatcha' doing this weekend?" He had his arm in back of him, and she smiled, thinking he had some flowers or candy.

"Ohhh, cleaning out the stables or doing the washing or…." She sidled up to him, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Making out with you."

"Hmmmm, well, how about we do that …in Santa Barbara?" he teased, then showed her two airplane tickets.

"Oh, Rick!" she squealed, then kissed him again as he spun her around. "Thank you, oh, thank you, darling! You are the most wonderful, sweet…"

"Dearest, loving, woman in the world." He finished, before claiming her lips again. As she nuzzled his neck, he fought back tears as she whispered "I love you so..my rock."

"Always, my sweet girl." He told her, then made a rude noise when the phone rang.

"I'll get it, love." She smiled at him, then he reluctantly set her down. As she reached for the phone, he wandered into the kitchen and snatched up a cookie.

"Hey, Steve, how are you guys?" Hearing the lilt in her voice, Rick mentally patted himself on the back.

"Uh, that would be nice, except….Rick and I are going to Santa Barbara…"

"Oh, oh." Rick realized his friends must have wanted to get together. Quickly he decided "Plan B".

"Darlin'?" he came out to the living room, then held out a cookie to her in exchange for the phone. Grinning, she took the treat from him and put the extension in his hand.

"Hey Pal."

A chuckle on the other end sounded. "Hay is for horses, Rick, I hear you're taking my buddy to Santa Barbara?"

"Yep, Ian's celebrating his anniversary with the "Knights", Robin got us tickets….say….any chance you and Jaime want to go?"

"Sure…..let me ask the missus…Jaime?" Rick listened as Steve asked his wife, then snickered as giggles turned in to something else.

"What does he say, love?" Laurie was next to him, and he put an arm around her. "It's what he's not saying, sweetheart." Rick told her, making her laugh.

"Uh, Steve?" Rick called teasingly, then a breathless former Colonel answered.

"That's a yes, how about you turning those tickets in and I fly us over?"

Rick laughed. "That's a go….leave tomorrow morning?"

As he made his goodbyes, Rick slid down over the sofa, then pulled Laurie into his embrace.

"Thank you, Rick…you didn't have to change your plans for me, love." She told him, putting her head on his chest.

"I know, but I wanted to give all four of us a break….it's been so sad, darlin'…I think seeing Robin and Ian and the grandkids will help a lot." Rick stroked her hair, then dropped a kiss on her head.

"Besides, with Oscar and Rudy and A.J. and Linda gone, it'll be too quiet. We can leave Mom in charge…." Rick added, then Laurie sat up.

"She's supposed to be with Chief Pete this weekend….so I think it'll have to be Robbie and Ramona, love."

"It'll still be okay. Speaking of love?" Rick sat up with Laurie in his arms, and she got a mischievous look. "Yessss?"

"We need to work off those cookies, sweetheart…." He began, then snickered as she whispered, "I'll be glad to help."

"No time like the present." Rick chuckled, helping her up, then led her by the hand toward their room.