raced well.”

“Thanks. Sure is strange not having Cathán leading a team” Togo replied as other teams arrived.

 “It certainly is, for the past few years we have all won races and then celebrated together” Fiona replied thinking of their friend.

 “I wonder where he went and what he is doing.”

    At this Fire and Fiona shared a secret smile at went unnoticed by Togo.

“If I know Cathán I am sure he is happy” Fire replied grinning at Jenna.

“What I want to know is why he left in the first place. I just cannot understand it, he was at the height of his career, why on earth would he leave in the middle of last season?”

“That we may never know” replied Fire

 “Personally I think it all has something to do with that white wolf he was dating, fool that he was, I think we ran off with her” Togo finished as Steel walked over.

 “You were amazing Steel I’ve never seen a rookie dog run so fast” Jenna barked licking her friend.

 “Thanks I cannot believe I am on a team with Togo!”

“You are so lucky to run with him.”

“He is such a great dog you would not think he was a multiple champion. Running with him has taught me loads. The other day he said I was one of the best dogs he has ever seen, said I am just like my father was at my age.”

 “That is great Steel you should be really proud of yourself.”

“I am I just love being in this team everyone is great and always willing to lend a paw.”

     Later that evening the town dogs gathered at the boiler house to celebrate with the visiting teams also joining in the celebrations. Sitting together Kaltag, Steel, Jenna, Sylvia, Dixie and Star chatted to each other. With sweets and cakes all around it was a merry party lasting well into the following morning.

         Seeing soul inside  

       It was December the 28th in Nome Rosie and Jenna played with a ball that Jenna had been given for Christmas. Suddenly they heard an almighty crash followed by a yelp from near the log shed where the bins and scrap metal was stored. Seconds later a brown wolfish puppy appeared in front of them. Looking at the pup Jenna noticed that he was very thin and looked close to starvation.

 “I am sorry for the noise I” the pup stammered, looking at the pair with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

 “I have not seen you before. Do you know you look like a little bit like a wolf?” Jenna replied looking at the pup.

“Yep I always have, my Mother is a wolf my Dad is a husky, pretty cool right?”

“Very cool, I thought you might be half wolf, what is your name?”

“Balto.”

“I am called Jenna, you look very thin, when did you last eat?”

“About a week ago I guess. Other than a few scraps I’ve not been able to scavenge much.”   Balto replied as Rosie walked over.

 “You look thin puppy I wish I knew your name.”

    Hearing this Jenna barked using her paw to write five letters in the snow B A LT O while Rosie and Balto looked on.

  “You are smart Jenna. Is Balto your name?”

      At this Balto barked a yes as Jenna smiled at him.

“You need food, I can get you some, wait here with Jenna” Rosie replied.

     Running into the house Rosie picked up a plate placing a slice of fruit cake, some reindeer shaped chocolate biscuits, three minced pies and slices of turkey. Walking back outside Rosie placed the plate on the snow in front of Balto. Looking at Rosie Balto stepped forward and wolfed down the food, his tail wagging with delight. Eating the last biscuit Balto glanced at Rosie who held out her hand with the third minced pie in it. Slowly Balto walked forward and gently took the pie from her. For a moment Rosie looked between Jenna and Balto, then very slowly she placed her hand on Balto’s head. For a moment Balto flinched then he began to relax as Rosie stroked him.

  “You are a nice wolfie Balto I bet you can run fast with your big paws.”

        At this Balto barked before smothering Rosie in a lick to her utter delight, wrapping her arms around him as Jenna placed a paw on his back.

 “Do you like to play Balto?” Jenna asked picking up the ball from earlier.

“How do you play with it?”

“Like this” Jenna replied as Rosie threw the ball.

     Fetching the ball Jenna placed it at Rosie’s feet her eyes flicking to the confused look on Balto’s face. When Rosie threw the ball a third time both Jenna and Balto raced after it, jumping up Balto caught the ball. Running back to Rosie he copied what Jenna had done and was rewarded with a pat. For the remainder of the morning Jenna, Rosie and Balto played fetch as they played Jenna liked Balto more and more. As lunch time approached Jenna heard Arthur’s voice coming towards the back door.

“Balto you have to go now Rosie’s father is coming he will not understand.”

“I better had. I’ve had a great time Jenna.”

“So did I. Come again Balto it would be fun, I can show you around town” Jenna replied as Balto vanished down the side ally.

           A couple of days later Rosie and Jenna were playing in the garden, Rosie was playing with a set of wooden painted arctic animals. Out of snow she had made a mountain and a pool of water acted as the Bearing Sea. As Rosie placed a seal and polar bear on the ice Balto appeared from a side ally. Seeing him Jenna barked and ran over to him licking his cheek in greeting. Walking over to Rosie Balto received a hug as he looked at the toys with confusion. Quickly Jenna explained what they were with the pair soon joining in with the game. Walking out of the back door Arthur stopped in his tracks and stared at the sight of the three paying together. Seconds later Rosie, Jenna and Balto turned to stare at him, fear shining in their eyes. Walking forward Arthur knelt down in the snow, extending his hand and placing it gently on Balto’s head.

 “Well you are an odd one.”

“His name is Balto.”

“He has wolf in him as well as dog, yes his mother or father was a wolf.”

“He is a nice wolfie Jenna likes him and he likes me, we play together.”

“So I can see” Arthur replied looking at Balto. “Stand together and I will take your picture.”

     As he took the picture Arthur looked at the scene with confusion as Balto was clearly half wolf yet he acted tame with Rosie. Part of him wanted to protect Rosie and Jenna from a wolf yet another part saw how happy both were with Balto. Standing back Arthur scratched his head as he watched as the three raced around the garden.

         Three weeks had passed since Balto and Jenna’s first meeting. Sitting outside Rosie’s house the pair talked about how to survive in Nome and the best places to eat. Moments later Rosie and Violet exited the house the latter shooting a nervous glance at Balto. Seeing Balto’s wagging tale Rosie patted him before following her mother. Leaving the house Balto and Jenna walked into the town centre soon arriving outside the movie house where they found Steel, Kaltag, Star, Nikkie, Sylvia and Dixie talking about the latest release. Seeing Balto and Jenna the group turned around.

 “Everyone I would like you all the meet Balto” Jenna said greeting her friends.

“Oh my goodness he looks like a wolf!” Dixie said with shock.

“He sure does” Kaltag muttered looking at Balto with suspicion.

“I am only half wolf half dog.”

“My owner told me wolves kill humans” Star said stepping towards Balto. “Why should we trust you?”

 “Oh come on Star don’t tell me you believe that pack of lies” Steel replied walking towards Balto. “I’m Steel welcome to Nome.”

“Thanks Steel for the record I would never hurt a human.”

“Balto is telling the truth Rosie is a close friend of his and so am I” Jenna said looking around her friends.

“See guys so what if Balto has a little wolf blood? I am happy to be his friend, I think Balto’s wolf blood makes him cool” Steel replied placing a paw on Balto’s shoulder.

“But Steel our parents have” Kaltag stammered.

“So? Balto has shown those stories to be untrue, besides how do we know they are even true? How do we know they are not just a load of rubbish? They I don’t care what you guys say.”

 “Neither do I” Jenna snapped glaring at her friends. “Come on guys we know where we are not wanted.”

   Walking away Steel, Jenna and Balto passed other dogs and humans going about their daily lives.

 “You did not have to do that for me” Balto said as they walked.

“It is alright Balto those guys were wrong about you. When did you last eat?”

“Yesterday, I managed to steal a bit of food I am getting better at stealing.”

“Well you still look thin. I am taking you to a place where you can grab a meal. The butcher has the habit of leaving his window