the epidemic affected the parents.

“The view is fantastic we can see the entire of Manhattan from here,” Balto said placing his paws up on the railing.

“It is stunning,” Jenna replied looking around her.

“Balto Jenna, look we can see the Statue of Liberty,” Rosie cried with excitement pointing to the statue. “I have always wanted to see her.”

“We will be going to visit her tomorrow,” Balto replied with a grin. “I cannot believe we are here.”

“I like New York a lot,” Rosie replied as a photographer walked over.

“Miss could I take your picture with Balto?” the man asked kindly.

“Yes you can,” Rosie replied politely with a smile.

“I have heard he is a good friend of yours.”

“One of my best friends,” Rosie replied as Balto barked in reply.

“That’s great, now then the three of you together and big smiles.”

     Rosie put her arms around Balto and Jenna, the three smiled widely as the camera clicked.

“Thanks miss that pic will make the front page, you are very sweet,” the man said as Arthur walked over. “Nothing to worry about sir I was just taking a picture of your adorable daughter.”

    Seeing the sincerity in the man’s eyes as the ease at which Balto and Jenna stood Arthur smiled and offered the man his hand.

“I saw you taking the picture so long as Rosie agreed I don’t mind in the slightest.”

“Thank you sir,” the reporter said with a wave as he walked away.

        The trio were joined by Kaltaq and Nikki, the pair putting their paws on the railings to look out across the river. Beneath them boats sailed under the bridge, as they watched a small boat docked at Elis Island, at the same time a large White Star Line cruise docked at Manhattan. The breeze gently teased their fur providing a welcome relief from the heat.

“GIVE THOSE BACK YOU DEVILS!”

     Whipping around Kaltag, Balto, Nikki, Jenna and Rosie saw three dogs running away, carrying Violet’s handbag and Gunner’s wallet in their teeth. One dog was tall and grey, another a brown Chihuahua with a green band around some red fur and the third a medium sized white dog with white spots and a red bandanna around his neck. Quick as a flash a pair of police Dobermans called Rasco and Buster gave chase, however the thieves had vanished into the crowd. As Mayor Hyland and the policeman apologized to the humans, Buster walked over the small group.

“Terribly sorry you had to witness that,” Buster apologised.

“Don’t worry about it, these things happen,” Nikki replied. “That trio were very quick.”

“They are the leaders of a gang of expert thieves, Tramp, Dodger and Tito are on our most wanted list.”

“Well like I said things happen,” Nikki replied shaking his head.

         Notes were taken and a police report was filed with Hyland promising to personally repay and replace the missing items. On leaving the bridge a short time later humans and dogs took a walking tour of the city with Mayor Hyland as their guide. Passing through Wall Street the group were greeted by smart bankers in very expensive suits.  

     Leaving the bankers behind the group walked along the bustling streets. They passed delis, haberdashers, green grocers, butchers and bakers. Stopping outside one bakery Mayor Hyland took the dogs inside to meet the owner and patrons. The owner greeted them in an accent that was a mix of Italian and American. After a picture was taken the dogs were given half a beagle each while the humans received a full one, all fresh from the oven.

“I love beagles,” Rosie said eating her which was cinnamon and raisin.

“There is nothing nicer than one on a cold morning,” Mayor Hyland replied kindly as they walked.

“The dogs loved theirs too.”

“I suspect they do,” Hyland replied.

“Where are going?”

“To Grand Central Station,” Hyland replied, waving to senator for the city who was passing on the opposite side of the road.

     Walking along Hyland pointed out local landmarks, passing a section of fenced land Rosie asked what it was for.

“Walt Chrysler owns it, he has some mad scheme to build a skyscraper, says it will be the tallest building in the city. I’ll eat my hat if it comes off!”

    As they neared the station the traffic increased dramatically, taxis and private cars clogging the road. Delivery and messenger boys passed on bicycles, boys with piles of newspapers shouted the day’s headlines. Arriving at the station the group greeted the passengers with the children taking delight in meeting the dogs. Visiting the art galleries they had their pictures sketched by a group of third year art students and their tutor.

“Well these pictures are very good, each of you has done very well,” said the tutor looking sketches.

“I cannot believe how still are subjects have sat, my dog never sits so still when I want to draw him,” said one lad.

  At this Balto, Jenna and Kaltag barked, wagging their tail from side to side. The students laughed, stroking the dog’s fur and receiving licks in return.   

“Miss Rosie was perfect,” called another boy. “I tried to sketch my little cousin once; she was up and running after ten minutes.”

“I like drawing, it was nice to pose for a sketch,” Rosie replied sweetly.

“You are so sweet Rosie,” the tutor said.

“Say we don’t need to keep these sketches do we?” asked one girl stroking Star.

“No necessarily, why do you ask?”

“I thought we could give some to our subjects if we don’t want them,” the girl replied smiling. “I would like to give mine to Rosie.”

 “Me too, it’s not often people or dogs have their portrait painted,” called a red haired lad.

        The students agreed, rolling up their sketches into a strong tube to protect them. Leaving the galleries the group toured the platforms, watching trains depart and leave to all parts of the US. Leaving the Grand Central the dogs chatted about the day’s events.

“Hey guys look over there,” Nikki said pointing to the top of a car.

        Lying on top of the car were Tramp and Tito, both chatted easily with not a care in the world. Looking at each other the sled team narrowed their eyes. With a nod of their heads Kaltag and Nikki sprinted across the road, narrowly missing a passing postman who swerved just in time. Seeing the pair approach Tramp and Tito leaped from the car, setting off at a quick pace through the busy streets. Oblivious to the shouting of Gunner, Nikki and Kaltag pursued to two thieves, knowing they would catch them.

  As Tito rounded a corner outside the entrance of building site, he tripped over a piece of chain sending him a bag of cement. His head spinning Tito looked up, to his horror Kaltag and Nikki stood over him.

“Now them you little lemming, why did you steal our musher’s wallet?” asked Nikki as Tito climbed to his paws.

“He is a tourist so fair game,” Tito replied in a Mexican accent. “If he was too stupid to watch his wallet in this town then he deserved it.”

“Not fair lemming, you crossed the wrong dogs,” Kaltag replied picking Tito up by his bandanna.

“Put me down you,” Tito yapped uttering a series of Mexican words.

“Not a chance,” Nikki said glaring at him.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

    Turning around Kaltag and Nikki saw Tramp running towards them, a look of anger on his face. Seeing him Tito let out a sigh of relief, though he would never admit it, the two sled dogs scared him, slightly.

“So the other thief has come.”

“Tramp you got to get this pair of tourist off my case,” Tito yapped angrily.

“Relax Tito I’ll handle them,” Tramp replied coolly. “Let him go, you guys are tourist, the last thing you want is trouble.”

“You should have thought about that before you stole our friend’s wallets,” Nikki replied forcefully. “Sled dogs don’t take kindly to that sort of thing.”

“This is NYC boys, different set of rules here, we can all walk away from this unharmed.”

        As they Kaltag spotted what was written on the side of the lorry pulled up next to them, on the side of the lorry was written H. W TIMBER MERCHANT NEW JERSEY. In a swift bound Kaltag crabbed Tito by his bandanna and jumped into a low wall, throwing Tito into the back of the open lorry. Seconds later the owner returned swiftly closing and locking the back of the lorry. Tramp watched in horror as the lorry pulled away while Nikki and Kaltag laughed.

  “That is what happens when you cross a sled team,” Nikki chuckled as the pair returned to their friends.   

          The following day Rosie woke up early, bouncing out of bed and waking Balto and Jenna. Yawning Balto stretched as Jenna shook herself.

 “We’re going to Liberty Island,” Rosie grinned bouncing on her bed. “We know,” Jenna