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Tibor, János, and Tibor’s wife’s cousin the dog trainer helped Sam push the cart to the plane At the foot of the steps, Remi said, “We can’t carry him up those steps in a box”

She knelt, opened the cagelike door, and out ca black snout and then the broad head and long-furred neck and then the ’s neck and held him for a moment “Jo fiu,” she whispered “Good boy” She stood “Fel,” she said “Up” She began to climb the steps and Zoltán followed her up into the plane

Tibor helped Sa travel carrier and set it down, then used its straps to secure it to an empty row of seats Then he said to Sa,” and went quickly down the steps and into the terminal

As Reer area, Selht you a pony”

Remi said, “Selma, this is Zoltán Come here and let him sniff your hand He won’t hurt you”

Selma put out her hand for Zoltán and then patted his thick neck

“—unless I tell him to”

Pete and Wendy laughed as Selo to Alaska, he can pull the sled by himself”

“Okay,” said Remi “Now you two” Pete and Wendy approached Zoltán and patted him He stood still and tolerated the attention

Remi went to her seat beside Sa sat at her feet She tickled him behind the ears

The refueling and the preflight inspection were coot up, went to the carrier, and ca treats

“Good idea,” Pete said “Those will buy us time if he decides to eat us”

“Don’t worry about him,” said Sanize which people need eating and to protect the rest of us” Reave him a treat

The pilot started the engines and the passengers fastened their seat belts As the planeover the pavement, Zoltán looked watchful and ate his treat The plane reached the end of the runway and turned into the wind While the plane accelerated along the runway and then rose into the air, Remi kept her hand on Zoltán’s shoulder to reassure him “Don’t worry, Zoltán I’m here with you” Her safe, calm, musical voice seemed to relax him As the rattles and vibrations ended and the plane lifted off the ground, Zoltán let his big head rest on the carpet and settled in for a long flight

Remi leaned close to Sam and whispered, “I love hi like hi, costs as much as a Rolls-Royce”