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going to try to keep it that way.
    There was a puffing noise, and I turned around. There was Kushna, Vladimir’s big old Siberian tiger. He puffed again. I was glad he was happy to see me. I knew it was crazy, but I thought he understood I’d been part of saving him from those poachers. In my head I figured that it was just wishful thinking, but somehow I thought he sensed it.
    Mr. McCurdy stooped beside Kushna’s pen. The tiger came forward and rubbed his head back and forth the way Buddha always did. Mr. McCurdy reached in and began scratching the old cat behind the ears. I had the urge to ask if I could do the same, but this wasn’t the time or place.
    “Start unloading now, boss?” Vladimir asked.
    “Not yet. First let’s check the other truck.”
    “Are my girls in the other truck?” I asked anxiously.
    “Course they are. What did you think we’d do, sell ’em?” Mr. McCurdy asked.
    “We’ll go see all the other animals.” Vladimir turned to Mr. McCurdy. “Unless Angus wants Vladimir to give food and water to Boo Boo and cats first?”
    “They can wait a few minutes more. Besides, I want to have your help with the other animals. Let’s go.”
    I walked carefully down the very middle of the aisle between the cages, trying to keep equal distance from the animals on both sides. Vladimir jumped from the truck, and Nick followed closely behind. The Russian reached up and offered me a hand. Cautiously I took it, and he helped me down. I’d been afraid he was going to pick me up again. Mr. McCurdy came next, and Vladimir moved slightly away, not offering a hand. Instead, as Mr. McCurdy turned to climb down, Vladimir moved back, standing right behind him, ready to catch him if he fell. As he got close to the bottom, Vladimir darted out of the way so Mr. McCurdy wouldn’t notice him.
    Nick rushed off to the second truck, with Vladimir following almost as quickly. I stayed behind, walking with Mr. McCurdy. He was moving very slowly — more than usual — and looked tired. I wondered how much he’d slept over the past three days, how much he’d had to eat. I knew the last thing on his mind would have been taking care of himself.
    “Don’t worry, Sarah. I’m sure they remember you,” Mr. McCurdy said.
    “What?”
    “The girls. I’m sure they remember you. Isn’t that what you’re worried about? You sure do look worried.”
    What was I supposed to say — that I was worried about him? He wouldn’t appreciate that any more than he would Vladimir standing by to catch him. Mr. McCurdy was one stubborn, proud old bird.
    “Yeah … that’s what I’m worried about,” I lied.
    “Thought so,” he cackled. “I know you so well. I can read you like a book.”
    By the time we’d reached the back of the truck, the door was already open and Nick and Vladimir were in the back of the trailer.
    “How are they?” Mr. McCurdy called up. “Any fatalities?”
    “Fatalities? You mean deaths?” I gasped. “Some of the animals are dead?” My girls were just little — they’d be the most vulnerable!
    “Hot, tired, but good. Very good. Come and see,” Vladimir said.
    I scrambled up the side of the truck like a mountain goat. I wanted to see the girls. I wanted to see all the animals. Immediately I was struck by a major difference. There was a terrible odour in this trailer.
    “It stinks in here!” Nick said, voicing my thoughts. “Smells like something died!”
    Oh, my gosh … was he right?
    “It’s just the smell of so many animals is such a small space,” Mr. McCurdy said. “Don’t go worrying your sister any more than you have to.”
    Of course, there were more animals. The whole place was filled with animals. There were the three giant buffalo in stalls at the side, more than a dozen deer and Peanuts the elephant.
    “There are your babies,” Mr. McCurdy said.
    One whole side of the trailer was home to the deer. There were legs and spotted bodies and antlers all jammed together. And