laughed.

“I’ve always wanted to see her.”

        Travelling by car down to the port the dogs watched the world go by, among the traffic they caught sight of Tramp and Dodger, both looking very unhappy. Arriving at the port they were greeted by the ship’s captain and a German Sheppard, both leading them onto the boat that would take them to liberty. Standing on the top deck humans and dogs looked out across the bay as the boat set off. The wind blew fur and hair this way and that. Standing at the railings Rosie looked around at the ships that sailed in and out. Boats from every corner of the world sailed passed, many docking at Elis Island.

“Rosie is enjoying herself,” Jenna whispered smiling.

“She sure is, I think she likes it here,” Balto replied.

      As Balto and the team watched the scenery go by they chatted to the German Sheppard who was called Charlie.[7] When Nikki mentioned their run in with Tramp and co Charlie rolled his eyes.

“That gang are run by a human called Fagin, there are about six other dogs who work for him, Fagin’s a rouge.”

“That I can believe,” Nikki replied.

“That’s only half of it. Fagin is the mastermind of a human gang too. NYP have been after him for twenty year, big money frauds, robbery, cons, gambling, illegal liquor, it’s a known fact he master minded a spate of recent bank jobs that netted close to 2.5 million.” Charlie said.

      At this the dog’s eyebrows shot up, in Nome crime was low so they couldn’t imagine a villain like Fagin.

“How is he not in jail?” asked Jenna.

“Simple, they cannot prove he’s involved,” Charlie replied rolling his eyes. “Fact is they know he’s guilty but they don’t have a shred of evince that will stand up in court and no judge with try him without that. Fagin has several legit business, he’s also very sharp with a brain for business so and a fair knowledge of the law.”

  “Sounds like a slippery customer, him and his dog underlings,” Nikki replied as they docked.

     Disembarking humans and dogs were greeted by a cheering crowd of visitors. Walking up the base of the statue the group had their pictures taken. Standing there the dogs fidgeted, all a little tired of all the photographs. Leaving the statues base the group went inside the statue itself.

“Now this is a sight,” Star whispered as they walked up the metal stairs.

“The dogs at home will never believe it,” Nikki replied looking up.

       Walking up they soon reached the crown from which they had a very god view of the bay. Leaving the statue the dogs returned to the ground and the cheering crowds. Leaving the island in the light of the setting sun they watched the sunset over Manhattan from the boat.

     Statue in Central Park

      A week after arriving in New York the sled team and their humans walked into Central Park. Carefully washed and brushed the dog’s fur gleamed. The humans were dressed in their best. In blue dress with a blue bow in her hair Rosie looked very pretty. Around her neck hung a silver snowflake on a silver chain, a present from Tiffany’s. As the statue was not going to be unveiled till 4pm they had the day to see the sights in the park. 

      Free from their leads for the first time in days the team raced through the park, their joyous barks echoing through the trees. As it was a Saturday the park was full of children who were delighted when the dogs approached them. Playing baseball with a group of teenage boys, Kaltag, Star and Nikki fielded much to the boy’s joy. Nearby children threw sticks for other members of the team while Rosie played fetch with Balto and Jenna. Lifting his camera Gunner took pictures of the dog as they played a wide smile on his face. Above them the sun shone and a gentle breeze blew, in the trees birds tweeted, while squirrel scampered beneath them, a perfect summer’s day for all.

      Sitting down for lunch on a blanket the humans and dogs relaxed under the shade of a large tree. With their thick coats the dogs found the head hard to bear, all wishing they were home in the cold. Looking at the sparking lake in front of him Balto leaped to his paws, jumping off a rock, he landed in with a loud splash. Surfacing he found the adults staring at him with mild annoyance while Rosie with laughing.

  “Come in the water is lovely and cool,” Balto called shaking his fur.

“Sounds lovely,” Star called running in to join him.

        With large grins the team dived into the water, the coolness hitting them immediately. Wagging his tail Balto flicked water at Nikki’s face, to which Nikki replied by flicking water back at Balto, only for it to go over Star. Glaring at the pair Star exchanged a look with Kaltag and another sled dog, before Balto or Nikki could react the trio jumped on them, sending them under the water. Surfacing with gaps Balto and Nikki glared at the grinning trio. Within seconds a ferocious water fight erupted between the team members.

 “Coming in to join us Jen?” Balto asked turning to face the shore.

“No I think I will stay here, I don’t want my fur wet,” Jenna replied walking over to the water’s edge.

“You look beautiful with wet fur,” Balto called swimming over. “I can see your warm, come on.”

“Not today Balto,” Jenna called walking away.

       Sitting back down next to Rosie, she watched the boys play.

“Balto was very silly to do that, I think he wanted you to cool down,” Rosie said stroking her.

“Oh he thought it was very funny,” Jenna replied watching the boys walk out of the water.

“Well that was a fun swim,” Balto said shaking his coat.

“Balto now I’m wet,” Rosie giggled

 “Sorry Rosie,” Balto replied nuzzling her.

“Uh wet dogs, at least they will dry quickly,” Gunner said shaking his head at the soaking team.

    Leaving their spot under the tree dogs and humans walked side by side through the park. Music drifted through the trees, turning a corner they came to a carousel.

“Mom can I please have a ride?” Rosie asked.

“Of course you can,” Violet said taking money from her cream handbag.

    Smile Rosie climbed onto a horse with a light brown mane and tail with a brown and white body. Alongside her other children sat on horse, all brimming with excitement. The music started to play coinciding with the slow movement of the horses. Simultaneously the music and horses increased in speed to the children’s delight. Sitting on her horse Rosie waved to Arthur, Violet, Jenna and Balto. Waving back Arthur took a couple of photos of her.

“That was fun,” Rosie said brightly jumping off her horse.

“It looked fun,” Jenna said nuzzling her.

     Walking up towards the scene of statue unveiling they chatted with excitement, the crowds beginning to gather in anticipation. Arriving at the statute they found it covered in a thick cloth, next to the statue stood the sculptor and city officials.

“Perfect timing,” said Mayor Hyland. “We will have quite a crowd.”

“Well all the papers have been running the story for the past week,” replied Arthur smiling. “These fellas have done a great publicity job.”

       The crowd began to gather, the local and national press arrived in preparation.  The air brimmed with anticipation, people chattered easily, on a wooden stage that had been erected next to the statue humans and dogs waited. When the clock struck 4pm Mayor Hyland stood up to address them.

“Central Park stands at the heart of our city, a place of peace where all can come and enjoy. To have a statue placed here is a great honour, one given to those few who have earned it. Today we add a new statue, one to honour both man and dog. To save a town Balto and his team risked life and death in the frozen wastes. Yet what is even more remarkable is that Balto guided his team home through a blizzard when their musher was injured. Balto had never led a team before, his actions are remarkable. For all these reason we honour him and his team with a statue.”

    The crowd cheered loudly as the statue’s sculptor Fredrick G. R. Roth stepped forward.

“It has been a great honour to create this statue, working with a real husky as a model has been particularly interesting.  I followed the story as it unfolded in the newspapers. At the time I remember praying that if the children lived I would use my skills to create a work to commemorate the event. I never imagined that my prayer could come true in this way. I now ask Rosie, Gunner and Balto to step forward and unveil the statute?”

            Taking told of the cloth that covered the statue Gunner and Rosie pulled it back. Briefly the cloth fluttered in the wind, almost like a white flag. The audience gasped as the statue, the dog’s eyes were round with amazement. Standing next to the statue Gunner, Rosie and Balto posed for pictures. Watching from the stage Jenna felt her heart fill with pride.  Stepping down from the