can?”

                “Of course! Let’s go!” Aerik said as he was happily prancing around me and bounding with enthusiasm. I laughed and trotted right behind him.

                When we reached the outskirts of our territory and the start of theirs, we howled, asking if it was alright to come in. Sierra’s mate howled back his reply and allowed us to come to their den. We loped up to their den and peeked in, we saw Sierra lying on the ground nursing her pups and her mate sitting beside her. Sierra’s mate looked up and said to us, “Brooke, Aerik! Wonderful of you to stop by. How can we help you?”

                “Well Brooke is unsure about having pups and would like to spend some time around you and your family to see if having a family is the right choice for us if that is alright with you.”

                “Of course! That’s a splendid idea. Come, you can learn all you need from our family before you make the decision to start your own. Oh and by the way I didn’t get to formally introduce myself, my name is Diablo.” Diablo smiled and motioned for use to come in.

                I slowly followed behind Aerik, still unsure of myself around the pups. I looked at them all, squirming around, fighting to find a spot to nurse. I smiled, even my fear ridden heart melted at the sight of a pup, something I thought only Aerik could do, in till now that is.

                We came back to watch the pups every Tuesday and Diablo and Sierra were always glad to see us. And we watched as the pups grew and grew and grew, showing their personalities and playing with their siblings. How they would play fight with each other, and wrestle. Or play tug of war with a piece of fur from their parent’s meal. And when they no longer could nurse they started eating small animals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. Many months went by since we first decided to learn about pups. And the pups grew very fond of us as did we to them. They even started calling me Aunt Brooke, and Uncle Aerik. Our bond with Sierra and Diablo grew stronger too, and we became great friends.

                It was about four months after we decided to learn about rearing pups that I had finally made up my mind. Their pups were no longer pups anymore they were adults and were off looking for a place to call home, a mate and hopefully start their own families. We said our teary goodbyes to the pups and to our friends who we would be soon having over to join us for dinner. We trotted home to our den and Aerik was about to fall asleep when I stood up and sat in front of him. Aerik rubbed his eyes and yawned, “What wrong dear?”

                “I’ve put a lot of thought into what you said?”

                “And…..?”

                “I believe that now is the perfect time for a family.”

                “Really? That’s wonderful news Brooke!” I smiled and Aerik started wagging his tail.

*A FEW MONTHS LATER*

                Aerik stood in front of my, tilted his head and went around to look at another angle. Then I said, “Well?”

                “It’s not that bad honey.” Aerik smiled

                “Not that bad!” I burst out in a fit of laughter, “I’m as huge as a house!”

                Aerik fell on the ground laughing along with me. But then our fun was once again stopped, I was having extreme stomach pains and let out an earsplitting yelp. Then Aerik helped me up and asked, “You okay dear?”

                “Yeah I’m fine.” And I smiled at him to show that I was truly okay

                “Okay.” Aerik wagged his tail and turned around to head for home.

                “Um Aerik?” I interrupted

                “Yes sweetheart?”

                “I need a squirrel.”

                “A squirrel?” Aerik asked quite baffled.

                “Yes, I’m hungry and I want food, now!” I growled

                Aerik slowly backed away and tilted his head very unsure of what to do next.

                “Oooh but first lets go prance in the meadow sweetie.” I said with a carefree spirit coming from me as always.

                “Um ok?” Aerik said, somewhat dazed

                “No, let’s go visit Balto and Jenna, instead.”

                “Good idea.” Aerik said as he followed me leading to the trail to Nome.

                “Oh and Aerik?”

                “Yes darling?”

                “You still haven’t given me my squirrel!”

                “Oh yes, sorry I forgot, I’ll be right back.”

                “Okay thank you love.”

                Aerik trotted away thinking to himself, Man! That girl’s got some serious mood swings goin’ on lately. Then he laughed.

                I kept walking to Nome, and when I reached the midway check point, Aerik was back with my squirrel. He held his head high for me to take it, and when I only looked at it and started walking on he dropped it and said, “Don’t you want it?”

                I laughed and said, “No silly, I’m not even hungry.”

                Aerik rolled his eyes and rolled behind me as he smirked to himself.

                We were nearing the town when I started to moan, “Uh are we there yet? I’m tired of walking.”

                “Were almost there can’t you see the boat?”

                “It’s too far away.”

                Aerik smirked and said, “Oh come on.” And trotted ahead of me.

                “Hey it was your idea to have pups you know. So deal with it!”

                Aerik laughed, and then responded in a sarcastic tone, “Yes dear.”

                When we reached Balto’s house he and Jenna were relaxing on the shore together, watching as their grown pups ran around with their friends. We trotted up to them and said hello. When the turned their heads and saw that we were going to have pups soon, they freaked out. They were so happy, they were congratulation us, and even put a paw on my stomach to see if they could hear them.

                We spent the rest of the day with