[the poor guy... livio really feels for him. he's worried about the kids, too, but he can imagine it's probably much worse for their loyal hound.]

Right... Uh. Sorry. It's nothin' personal.

[ugh. he feels like an ass for interrupting rusty just to ask him for something. he can at least approach him the rest of the way, and perhaps tentatively offer him a hand to sniff and pet, if he seems to want it.]

I was wonderin' whether y'still had that ol' hat. I didn't realize it at the time, but... it's real important to me.