Gazing up at Dec were two of the most beautiful big brown eyes he'd ever seen.

"Oh my God Ant" Dec wept,tears running freely down his cheeks "you got me a puppy?"

Ant didn't reply,just carried on filming with a cheesy grin on his face.

The tiny black and tan dachshund looked up curiously at Dec.He was laying on a soft blue blanket but was looking rather scared which Dec noticed immediately.

"Hey baby...." Dec comforted while gently lifting the puppy from the box.

"Boy!" Ant interrupted.

"Hey baby boy!" Dec continued "aren't you the most cutest,adorable,little thing?"

He nuzzled his face into the puppies soft fur,wetting it with his tears.

Ant stopped filming and sat down next to Dec.

"Happy birthday Decs" Ant beamed,hugging Dec and stroking the puppy "what do you think?"

"I think you may just have lost the plot a tiny bit Anthony Mcpartlin,a puppy?of course he's adorable and I already love him but when am I going to have time to look after a puppy?we're always working?" Dec sighed when the reality of the situation dawned on him.

"Alright mister doom and gloom" Ant laughed "I've thought of all that and I've already found reliable dog walkers,booked him into puppy training classes and there'll be plenty of opportunities for him to come to work with us.Also you won't believe the amount of people at work who are willing to help out with him when you're busy,we're definitely surrounded by dog lovers."

"What?people at work know about him?" Dec asked surprised "how did they all manage to keep that quiet?even today at the pub after a few drinks,no one let it slip"

"Yeah,I admit I was a bit worried about that today but I'm quite impressed they all kept their mouths shut"

"Yeah,so am I" Dec agreed

"So?" Ant enquired

"So" Dec teased "you do know that it's not recommended to give pets as presents don't you?"

"Yeah I know" Ant smiled "but I knew I could be a million percent sure that this dog was going to a loving home and would be properly looked after"

"You got that right" Dec grinned,quickly wiping his tears away with the back of his hand.

"Thank you Ant,I can't believe you did this,you're so amazing.He's gorgeous,I'm going to love him so much,thank you" he cradled the puppy close to his chest,kissing it's head.

Ant laughed at Decs enthusiasm.

"You're very welcome Decky,and i know you're gonna love him,he's going to be a spoilt brat,I can see it now"

Ant watched Dec intently as he interacted with the cute puppy.It had been too long since he'd seen his friend look so happy with a genuine smile on his face,not one that was forced for the sake of others.He couldn't help but feel a bit pleased with himself that his idea had been such a success.

"It's so nice to see you happy again Dec" Ant gently said.

"I am happy Ant,thanks to you,I really am,thank you" Dec replied

"You don't have to keep on thanking me,I get it,you love your present" Ant laughed.

Dec didn't reply,he was too busy rubbing the puppies tummy and kissing it's nose to concentrate any longer on what Ant was saying.

"Now Decs,you need to think of a name for this little one here" Ant reminded him.

"Hmm good point" Dec replied,now paying attention to Ant "what do you think?Sausage?"

"Sausage?" Ant laughed,rolling his eyes "how original"

"You got a better idea then?" Dec asked.

"Little Dec"

"Very funny" now Dec was the one rolling his eyes "anyway we've already got one of those on Saturday night takeaway"

"Buddy?" Ant questioned.

"Nah,don't like that,ooh what about Shearer?"

"That's quite a name for a little fella to live up to" Ant thought out loud.

"Yeah,that's true,what about biscuit?"

Ant just laughed at Decs suggestion.

"Or marshmallow?" Dec continued,ignoring Ants laughter.

"Decs,are you just hungry or something?"

"Shut up you" Dec grinned "you think of something better then?"

"Eddie!" Ant announced proudly.

"Pleased with yourself aren't you?" Dec giggled "but no,he doesn't look like an Eddie"

They both slouched back onto the sofa,wracking their brains about this very important decision.The puppy was already comfortably dozing on Decs lap.

"I got it" Dec sat up abruptly,startling both Ant and the puppy.

"What?" Ant replied.

"Rocky!What do you think?" Dec asked excitedly.

"Rocky?" Ant glanced down at the tiny dog before looking up at Dec "I think it suits him perfectly"

"Hey Rocky" Dec smiled down at the puppy "welcome to your new home"

"Yeah,welcome to your new home" Ant repeated "I'm just going to go to the car and get all his stuff ok?"

"What stuff?" Dec asked

"You really are clueless Dec,anyone would think you'd never been around dogs before" Ant laughed "I mean his food,his bowls,bedding,crate and all that,I've even got him some toys.

Only one word stood out in that sentence for Dec.

"Crate?what crate?what does he need a crate for?" Tears were starting to spill over Decs eyelashes.

Ant hugged him,laughing "God Dec,you are ridiculous sometimes,it's just for him to sleep in mostly and to help with training and it's only temporary"

"But I don't want him to be in a crate,he'll be scared,I want him with me" Dec announced tearfully.

"You won't be saying that when he's pissing all over your bed" Ant laughed "he's a puppy Decky,he needs to be trained,it's just his kennel for the night times really,he'll be sleeping on your bed soon enough and as I said,this is only a temporary measure"

"I guess you're right" Dec reluctantly agreed "you staying over tonight?"

"Think I'd better" Ant joked "keep an eye on you and Rocky like"

They spent the rest of the evening playing with Rocky,watching TV and chatting.They had a couple of alcoholic drinks but took it easy,Dec wanted to stay sober for his new family member.

Ant took huge pleasure at Decs feeble attempts to order Rocky to have a wee when he was taken to the garden,laughing hysterically when the bewildered pup just chose to lick Decs shoes instead.

"It'll take time Dec" Ant smiled "he's just a baby remember"

Dec just nodded in agreement.

All three soon went to bed happy and exhausted.The night was difficult for Dec and Rocky,Dec could hear him whimpering in his cage and desperately wanted to go and get him but he'd promised Ant he wouldn't.

Thankfully,as the days went on,it didn't take too long for Rocky to start to settle and Ant was so grateful for the effect the pup was having on Dec.

He was looking happy again,not all the time but definitely more than he had since Fonseys death.Of course Ant knew he would always miss his dad,that was only natural but at least now he was starting to come to terms with it thanks to Rocky.

Ant was now very rarely staying over at Decs,there wasn't much need,he was doing better,he had Rocky for company and he was literally only a minutes walk away should Dec need him.

One day in late October,Ant called into Decs,letting himself in with the key Dec had given him when he first moved in.

He found Dec laying on the sofa with Rocky asleep on his tummy.

"Hi Dec" he called out cheerfully as he entered the living room.

When there was no reply,he thought maybe Dec was asleep and quietly walked over to him.

Dec wasn't asleep,but was staring straight ahead and Ant immediately noticed his tear stained face and watery eyes.

"Oh Dec,what is it?" Ant asked concerned "has something happened"

Dec was jolted out of his thoughts.

"Oh hi Ant,I'm sorry,no nothing has happened,I was just thinking"

"What about?" Ant asked but was pretty sure he knew the answer already.

"About Dad"

"Yeah,thought so" Ant sighed

"I just miss him" Dec sat up,disturbing Rocky who looked up at his beloved owner with a slight look of annoyance before rearranging himself to get comfortable in his lap once again.

"Of course you miss him" Ant comforted "he was your Dad,you'll always miss him and as I've said before,there is no timeline with grief,it's all down to you"

"I hate feeling like this" Dec whispered.

"I know" Ant pulled him in for a sideways hug.

They both sat there quietly for a few minutes before Ant spoke.

"I think you should talk to him"

"What?" Dec asked surprised

"Talk to him" Ant repeated

"In case you haven't noticed Ant,he's dead" Dec replied sarcastically.

"Yes i know that,but it's been over two months and you've not been to his grave since the day of the funeral" Ant thoughtfully informed him "do you think it's time you did?"

"I don't know" Dec replied weakly.

"I think it might help,go to the grave by yourself,say what you're feeling,tell him what's on your mind,tell him whatever you like" Ant rubbed his back soothingly.

"Maybe" Dec replied,sounding more than slightly reluctant.

"Just have a think about it ok?there's no hurry,but we have time at the moment.I do genuinely think it will help you"

"I doubt I'll be able to go on my own" Dec sighed "everyone will want to come with us,especially Mam"

"Then don't tell them you're coming,you can surprise them with your presence afterwards or tell them you just want to spend some time at the cemetery alone,they'll understand"

Ant wasn't sure if he was getting through to Dec.

"What do you think?" Ant couldn't help pushing a bit as he really thought it was a good idea.

"Will you come with me?" Dec asked slightly pleadingly.

Ant sighed "of course I'll come to Newcastle with you and I'll even come to the cemetery with you,but I won't come to your Dads grave with you,you need to do that alone,but I won't be far away,so you'll do it?you'll talk to your Dad?"

"Ok Ant,I'll do it!"