name

It can rise to meet the moment

And burn like a flame

“And you can be stronger

Than any fear you know

Hold on to what you see

Don’t let it go, don’t let it go”

These verses held a double meaning for Aniu: the told of her quest for the safety of the very pup that now lay cradled against her fur, but also of Balto’s own future journey in life.

“There’s no turning back

Your destiny is calling

Listen to the thunder roll

And let your heart break free”

At this, Aniu lifted her head and let out one final, mournful howl into the darkening sky. Balto needed this inspiration later in life. She could not guess how she knew this; all she knew was that it was imperative that she told him.

“Yes, reach for the light”

The thought crossed her mind that she might be able to stay alive and help her son as he grew up. She summoned the energy and began to concentrate on her own life, and the strength arrived in her body. A second later, however, all her energy disappeared, and she collapsed to the snow, weaker than she had ever been in her life. She felt the frigid air bite at her nose and cheeks, and soon her fur was fringed with a crust of ice.

Aniu struggled to pull Balto closer as shards of frozen snow bombarded her face, cutting her cheeks and flying down her throat. Every breath was a nightmare; every movement brought more pain, more bleeding from the many cuts and scratches that already covered her face and body. She laboriously turned her head away from the wind, laying it on the ground. She struggled to move her lips and form words, but even the simple action eluded her.

Reduced only to fragmented thought, Aniu breathed her last: Go on, Balto. Live and do great things. Then she allowed herself to be swept away. Her body dissolved and became part of the blowing snow, and she was gone.

To Be Continued

Aniu and Balto (c) to Universal. All other characters (c) me