walked to their cabin.

       Over the next few days Rosie and Jenna settled into the ship, meeting their fellow passengers both humans and dogs. They were a diverse group, some were business men, some trappers and miners, a few couples visiting and returning from visiting their families. A large portion was made up of mushers, using the summer to buy and sell dogs. The dogs themselves proved friendly, taking to Jenna and including her in their activities.

      A few days into their journey Jenna and Rosie stood on the deck looking out over the wide sea, watching the sleek seals who swam next to the boat. Watching the seals the pair laughed at their antics, applauding when the seals caught fish. Passing islands of ice the pair watched as mother seals feed their cute, fluffy white pups. Then suddenly out of sea tall black fins appeared.

 “Killer Whales!” Rosie shouted with delight, her long hair blowing in the wind.

“Orcas child” came a voice from behind.

     Turning around Rosie and Jenna saw an Inuit man with white hair in traditional clothing, his face weather beaten with a kind smile. Walking over to the side of the ship he smiled at the pair leaning on the railings.

 “Those whales are called Orcas by my people they are the guardians of the sea and help humans, it is a good omen that you have seen them. Watch child one approaches.”

   The man was right one orca had left the pod and was now only a meter from the boat, its eyes fixed on Rosie. Looking into the whales eyes Rosie was captivated a strange sense of familiarity entering her heart.

 Welcome Rosie so young unaware red daughter unique

  With a flick of its tail the orca dived beneath the sea, rejoining its pod who hunted away from the boat.

“Who spoke did you hear that?” Rosie asked turning to the man.

“Heard child? If you heard whispers from the ocean they were for you alone to hear not I, not even your loyal four legged friend dog here.”

  “Could you please tell me more about orcas?”

“Certainly if you like I can tell many things about the creatures who live on the sea and ice.”

“I would like that, thank you.” 

   Listening to the man Rosie turned back to the face the beautiful creatures. Standing next to Rosie, Jenna wondered what had just happened, had Rosie been daydreaming or had she really heard something? Her attention was diverted as the orcas surfaced, some leaping out of the water with joy casting spray onto those on deck. As the girls watched a glimmer of silver caught their eye near an iceberg. On top of the iceberg with its fur shimmering in the sunlight was a huge polar bear.

 “Oh you are pretty” whispered Rosie gazing with utter fascination at the bear. 

“Balto was right they are beautiful and so big.”Jenna thought staring at the magnificent creature.

     “Rosie.”

    Turning away from the bear Rosie saw Violet walking up to her.

“So you have been here all along, I d hope my daughter has not troubled you sir.”

“Not in the slightest she and her friend here have watched the wildlife, she and I have spoken of them, I have told her what I know. It has been a pleasure to speak to her.”

“Thank you my daughter does love animals, come on Rosie time for lunch.”

“Thank you for telling me all about the animals’ sir.”

“It has been my pleasure” the man replied watching as the trio walked to the dining room.

          The rest of the trip progressed in much the same way every day Rosie and Jenna would watch the wildlife from the deck. She was frequently joined by other passengers and the Inuit man she had met, as it turned out he was working with scientists from The Smithsonian Institute. On the last night of the voyage the captain organised a party for the crew and passengers to celebrate a successful crossing. Lasting well into the night it was a roaring success with people swapping addresses so they could keep in touch with each other as many new friendships had been formed. 

     On the morning of July the 25th Jenna, Rosie, Violet and Arthur stood on the deck as ship docked into Juneau’s port. It was nothing like Rosie or Jenna had seen before a sprawling city full of hustle and bustle twice the size of Nome. On the dock stood a crowd of people the dock workers busy those waiting the welcome friends and family hurrying to spot their loved ones. Disembarking a short time later Arthur, Violet, Jenna and Rosie were met by a man a little older than Arthur with hair more black than brown.

 “Arty little brother great to see you at last” the man said hugging Arthur.

“Same Alf nice car” Arthur said looking at his brother’s car.

“Isn’t she just? Violet you grow more beautiful every time I see you. Rosie is that you? You have grown so much” Alf replied kissing Violet’s cheek an scooping Rosie into his arms.

“Hi Uncle Alf this is Jenna.”

“Alfred you are so kind to allow us to stay with you.”

“My please we have rooms and rooms with only four of us in the house. Besides what kind of brother would I be if I did not allow you to come and stay?”

    Climbing into the car the family set off through the roads of Juneau, Rosie and Jenna looking out of the window. Arriving at Alfred’s house the pair gasped at its size and the amount of garden it had. Waiting on the front steps were a blonde haired woman, a blonde haired girl of six, a fourteen year old boy and a female Bichon Frise.

“Art, Violet, Rosie it is wonderful to see you, how was the trip?” asked the women walking down the steps.

“Wonderful Judith, the boat was gorgeous” Violet replied.

“Come on inside. William help you Papa with the bags.”

  At this the boy walked down from the steps.

“Hi Uncle Art it’s great to see you” William said as he picked up the bags.

“Now then Will you’ve grown again” Art replied looking at his nephew.

“He has been on a growth spurt since his birthday, he barely has clothes a month before he outgrows them” Judith replied shaking her head.

    On the steps Jenna looked at Bichon Frise, a little unsure of the older dog.

“Welcome to Juneau Jenna I am Princess. I am looking forward to becoming acquainted with you.”  

“It is a pleasure to meet you Princess.”

   Walking inside the humans and dogs made their way to the sitting room while the maid and butler took the bags upstairs. In the sitting room the family talked over coffee and biscuits brought in by a second maid. Arthur and Alfred discussed directions to the courthouse, Rosie and the little girl Matilda played with dolls while Jenna and Princess watched.

 “You must be tired from your journey. Dinner will not be for another hour, would you care to freshen up?”

 “That would be lovely Judith” Violet replied.

     As the humans left the room Jenna and Princess made their way to the front porch where they sat down both looking at the garden.

“Do you have any plans as to what activities you wish to partake in while you are here Jenna?” Princess asked.

“Not really. I hadn’t really through much about it. Are you allowed to wonder free?”

“Certainly so long as we wear a collar and license, my neighbourhood is such a wonderful place to live. You will love living here.”

        Jenna in Juneau

       A couple of days later the two families sat together at the breakfast table, toast, cereal, coffee and orange juice sat on the table. Arthur and Alfred both had their heads in different sections of the morning paper, Violet and Judith chatted over their coffee, William ate his toast while listening to the radio and Matilda and Rosie both chatted over their cereal. On the floor Jenna and Princess ate their own breakfast while listening to the chatter around the table. As the humans set about their day Princess and Jenna left the house, walking out of the front gate with Arthur and Alfred.

 “Where are we going Princess?” Jenna asked as they walked through the neighbourhood.

“On Monday all the lady dogs gather as the mayor’s house. The canine mayor’s wife is such a wonderful dog, she is a poodle called Victoria.”

“I would hate to intrude.”

“Nonsense as my guest it is my duty to introduce you to society and there is better place to do that then Victoria’s.”

   Arriving at the mayor’s house Jenna stopped in her tracks amazed at the size of the house as she had never seen a mansion before. Walking through the wrought iron gates into the front garden Jenna looked around her. Sat on the porch was a circle of female dogs off different breeds and ages, all waving their tails on seeing the pair.

 “Victoria, Ladies I have the pleasure of introducing you to Miss Jenna. She is owned by Alfred’s niece Rosanna. Jenna will be my guest while Rosanna’s father is working in the city” Princess said sitting down.

  “Welcome Jenna it is my pleasure to welcome you to our little circle I am sure you will find our friendship and activities enjoyable” Victoria replied