The tall grass flickered, trembled and parted. The bunny flew, ears flapping in the wind, across the field, with Krystal in hot pursuit. The big dog dog's tongue lollingly happily as he closed the gap between them. The bunny poured on speed, but the dog dog's big legs were too much for his paws. He stopped and spun to face the dog. Krystal pounded up to the rabbit and--SLURP-- licked him from ears to fluffy tail. The rabbit giggled. "It tickles when you do that!"

Krystal laughed. "Thanks for the run, friend. Same time tomorrow???" His face looked so hopeful.

"I don't suppose you'll let me win?" The bunny thumped his back feet with laughter. "I didn't think so. Ah well, tomorrow..." and he hopped on his way to the sweet vegetable patch. Krystal watched his friend lope away, then turned and headed to the shady trees. Penny and Cherie were playing tustles while Cinnamon and Lucky lounged in the sun. Every so often Lucky would sweep his tail through the grass and gasp in feigned surprise when a peeper would pounce on it. Krystal laughed, his tongue still lolling. He felt a tiny tug at his shank fur.

"Scuse me, Mr. Dog Dog," said a tiny kidden voice, "but does you give peeper rides?"

Krystal pulled in his tongue and put on a very serious face. "Well, now, my little fellow...I don't know. Just what would I have to do?"

"Wells," said Little Dots, "you just gots to get down so I can gets up on your back...then I holds on while you runs around. It's not hard. Mr. Eatbugs and Mr. Picnic gives `em all the times. Maybe they could shows you how?"

Krystal smiled. "Well, I think I -could- manage that." With that he knelt and let the peeper scramble up his back.

"Wheeeee!!!! Giddyup Little Dog Dog!!"

Cinnamon burst into laughter. Krystal was easily 20 times the size of the kidden, but there would be no telling him that. Krystal trotted around the field, with Little Dots whooping and hollering. The next then the dog dogs knew, they had peepers lined up looking hopeful.

"Well, my fellows, I think our services are required," said Lucky.

In short order, peepers clung to dog dog backs and the canines trotted happily along.

"Whhhhheeeee!!! Lookit me Mr. Max!"

"Fasters pwease"

"Look Mr. Picnic....no paw paws!"

The dog dogs trotted through the catnip patch and the kiddens scattered laughing. Creamsickle chuckled as Cinnamon side-stepped to avoid Miss Kitty. She twitched her whiskers with a "harumph" and muttered something about kidden dignity. Virginia's wise eyes held a hint of amusement in them.

Eatbugs sat beside Virginia, munching a catnip leaf. He turned to speak and paused and cocked his head. He felt a tingling in his whiskers, but a strange one. He started to ask Virginia what it meant when he saw the dog dogs stop.

Lucky's tail drooped and he turned his face to sniff the wind. He bowed his head for a moment, then lifted it to the sky. The howl he made wrenched at Eatbugs' heart. Cinnamon, Krystal and Penny lifted their voices to wind, joining Lucking in the Welcome.

The howl still echoed in the wind as the dog dogs turned to make their way to the gate. From all around them, other dog dogs came to join the procession. Large and small they came, tails down and eyes mournful.

"Come, Little One," said Virginia as she rose to join them.

"We join them?" asked Eatbugs.

Before Virginia could answer, he saw Max, Pumkin and Kitty trotting to join Lucky. Eatbugs bowed his head. The dog dog who came was loved by kiddens. More hearts than human ones would ache tonight.

They rose and joined the somber walk to the Gate. Eatbugs saw the Company gathering. Putt Putt walked with Isolde, Beethoven and Spunkie twined tails. Dino and Panther helped Pris and Picnic with the peepers. The Circle formed before the Gate as the Welcoming Song reached its heartbreaking crescendo. Dog dog and kidden sat side by side. Purrs mingled in the air with howls, to sing their new companion home. The sound danced upon the air and winded its way to the earth, singing Welcome to the one that came, and comfort to those left behind.

The flash of blue light shimmered and in its wake sat the fluffiest dog dog Eatbugs had ever seen. His golden fur gleamed in the sunlight and his tailfur danced in the light breeze.

King blinked for a moment and stared at the Company before him. Lucky, Kitty, Pumpkin and Max padded forward and gathered close around their brother. Earlicks and head butts were given.

King looked up into Lucky's sad eyes. "Lucky, I have to see Mom....I have to.."

"You will, brother. We will all be together again. So it is promised."

"No. I have to see her now! Oh Lucky, she hurts so much. I have to tell her it was time. I have to tell her I'm okay now. Oh, Lucky, I can feel her hurt. I have to tell her..." His voiced trailed off and a single tear ran down his cheek.

Lucky nodded and led his brother to the edge of the Rainbow. King looked around and found that the Company had followed. Lucky smiled. "We will help you. Now think of Mom and see her in your heart."

King did and whimpered, "Oh she is so sad."

"Shhhh," came a gentle feline voice.

King looked down into Virginia's eyes. "I don't want her to hurt...."

"Reach for her....send her your love. She will feel it."

King looked over the Rainbow and thought with all his might. He heard the sound of the Company raising their purrs to join him. He felt his dog dog friends joining their thoughts with his. He pictured his Mom in his heart and felt her sorrow. When he thought his heart would burst, he turned his thought towards the Earth. "Mom? Mom, I'm home. I am whole and healthy now, Mom. I am sorry I couldn't stay. I tried real hard....but Mom? I'm right here. Listen real close and you can hear my tail thumping...and know that I am home....and I am waiting..."

At last he looked up into Lucky's eyes. Lucky nodded. "She heard." He gave his brother a lick. "Come on, now. Let me show you around....."

© Copyrigh 1996 Constance Jenkins. All Rights Reserved. The author retains all copyright and intellectual rights to this work. It may not be printed in whole or in part without express written permission.