Lucky’s tail started wagging—the pups had a point. He glanced at the lone tree with a mottled silver bark that stood some distance away around the rocky overhang. He’d forgotten what it was like to look at the world with such curiosity and innocence. Now memories flooded back to him, of a time when he was called Yap, play-fighting with his litter-sister Squeak. She used to ambush him, sneaking up from behind and chewing playfully on his ear.

With a surge of happiness, Lucky spun around and nipped Wiggle gently on his tufty neck. Grunt yapped cheerfully and started running along the bank, back toward the overhang.

“You won’t catch me!” he cried. The pup’s short legs thundered against the sandy ground and for a moment he had a clear lead before Lucky gained on him. With a friendly growl, he pounced on Grunt and the pup yipped and snarled as Lucky licked his face. He felt Wiggle nip at his legs as he came up behind. All of them ended up rolling and play-fighting.

Lucky panted happily. It was wonderful to see the pups so mischievous and full of energy.

He was hardly aware of Lick until he heard Mickey’s voice, warning her: “You’ll never reach it!”

Lucky looked up to see Lick quite far away, around the other side of the overhang, running at full pelt. A flash of gray fur shot in front of her.

“I’ve almost got it!” yapped Lick excitedly.

Lucky saw it was a squirrel she was chasing, and that the little animal was making for the silvery tree. She hurtled after it, her paws a blur as she kicked up soil.

She’s going too fast; she’ll slam into the trunk!

“Stop her!” barked Lucky in alarm, starting after Lick. His heart leaped to his throat and his paws pounded beneath him.

Mickey was closer to the tree and he made a dash for it, but the squirrel got there first. It burrowed into a hole at the base of the tree, disappearing from sight. Lick bounded after it, diving toward the hole just as Mickey reached the tree. At first it looked as though Lick would squeeze inside the hollow after the squirrel, her head and forepaws disappearing through the gap, but she stopped abruptly.

Half of Lick’s body was inside the tree. Her back legs hung out of the gap, kicking desperately, her body twisting and jerking.

“She’s trapped!” Mickey whined.

Lucky skidded to a halt by the tree and brought his head close to the base of the trunk. “Lick? Lick, can you hear me? Try not to struggle; we’ll have you out in no time.”

The pup bucked at the sound of his voice, her tail spinning. Lucky felt sick at the fear scent rising from her small body.

“It’s okay; we’re here,” he assured her. He turned to Mickey. “Keep her still!”