A Beautiful Ceremony for Sweet

They had hoped for a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean, but haze
was rolling in when the rabbits reached San Juan Capistrano. There
were thousands of rabbits of every ear and color. They came from all
parts of the world to bid their comrade Sweetbunny a final farewell.

"The haze is a good thing," said Eric. "Sweet and Snowie are sitting
on top of the cloud and want to get closer."

"If any of us carried even one more helium balloon, we'd be up there
with them," said Daffy, who had three balloons held secure in her
mouth.

The honor guard, led by Capt. Raul Hernandez Boolie and Lt. Kuni
Booli, welcomed the travelers. The heart strings of each rabbit
pulled tight when the speaker, Mr. Patches, approached the podium.
Mr. Patches walked strongly on three legs.

"I lost my leg to this terrible thing, and now I lose my friend. This
evening we all wear pink ribbons on our ankles in memory of our
comrades lost to cancer. Sweetbunny was perhaps the bravest of them
all. She beat this thing not once, not twice, but four times since
she was little more than a bunny. She was a strong rabbit! She was
able to meet every UHF mandate for behavior. She drove her hoomins
from their bed and took it as her own. She ruled both chair and
table! She was an inspiration to us all.

"Her fight would have been ended long ago if not for the heroic
efforts of her devoted servant Beth. It is with great sadness that we
bid Sweet good-bye. I know she is safely at her mother's side now in
a place where rabbits never hurt."

When Mr. Patches stepped down, the rabbits joined a prayer circle.
Each rabbit held balloons. Agent Morgan tied a tuft of cotton candy
onto the string of a balloon with a pink ribbon. Gunnery Sgt. Boo Boo
clipped the ribbon with his teeth. Mr. Bunz tied a chain of dried
apricots on a balloon with the help seven housemates.

Claire asked what song they should sing for Miss Beth. Amber said,
"The only song that is fittin' is "Wing Beneath my Wings." Sweet would
have been gone long time ago, but our mom wouldn't let her go until it
was time. She was always the wind beneath Sweet's wings, even until
the final moment when she released her spirit to fly.

The circle grew tighter and all rabbits released the balloons. BB and
Cissy cried out, "Farewell, Sweetbunny, have a safe journey. We'll
see you again some day."

The balloons disappeared into the fog that rolled in quickly. And the
rabbits all sang "Wind Beneath my Wings" in one voice. Anya nuzzled
Amber, who had large tears welling in his eyes. It was okay if he
cried now.