this only caused a chain reaction. The rest of the team started to trip over him, and they eventually came to a crashing halt.

Balto and his team continued onward, and Balto could hear the musher of the other team over his shoulder, yelling angrily. He briefly glanced back, and slowed down a bit to make sure they were all right. When they appeared to be, he dashed onward into town.

The townspeople roared in excitement when they saw their hero, leading his team to victory. Balto neared the finish line, and he could hear a million familiar voices cheering him on. His family, his friends, his mate, his children...he could never recall so much praise. He smiled proudly, making the final leap to the finish line. It took him less than a second to do, but the moment seemed to last forever, as he saw his whole life flashing before his eyes. Everything from those lonely old days on the ship, to the night he had saved the town, to watching his children grow, to seeing Aleu join the pack, to his dreams of his mother, to his return to the sled team, Balto could never have been prouder of all he had accomplished. And now, here he was, no longer a stray. He had an owner, a family, and a new sharp look, thanks to some grooming from his owners, and was about to win the biggest race of the season. Everyone applauded as he crossed the finish line.

***

Nearly the whole town had gathered out right in the middle of Main Street in Nome, to see a special honor to be given by the mayor on this day, the day following the race. "As mayor of Nome," he spoke out standing on the platform before the crowd, "I would like to make a special presentation on this day, to someone whom we all know quite well, and who needs no introduction. Three years ago on this very day, a diphtheria epidemic swept the youth of our tiny town. A day I'm sure we all remember very clearly..." Balto stood proudly by the mayor's side, as he described the state of the town at the time, and how Balto had defied all odds, and saved everyone. He went on about Balto climbing from being a stray, to a champion lead dog, and how proud everyone was of him, and the attention it had brought Nome. He even made an analogy, about how inspiring his story could be to others. "All that being said, I'm sure many of you know of the carving of a statue, that was erected just last year in New York's Central Park, in honor of this fine sled dog. This shows just how much Balto's heroism has touched every one of us, from all over the country." Many began to applaud in agreement. "However, it occurred to me earlier this week," the mayor continued, "that we as a town, have never given this brave hound any formal recognition ourselves, for all he's done for us." He reached over to his side, as a man standing next to him handed him a small box. "So," he said, reaching into it, pulling out a medal with a ribbon attached to it, "it gives me great pride to award this medal to the new Gold Collar Champion, and Nome's greatest hero, Balto!" The crowd roared, as he placed the medal around Balto's neck. Balto stood before them all happily. He couldn't resist the urge. He began to howl, or "do the call," as it was now being named by the other dogs in town. Soon, all the other dogs standing nearby joined in. Jenna leapt up on stage to join her lover. They both stood there happily, surrounded by the noise of this ongoing scene.

***

Never at a dog council meeting, had nearly as many attended as did on this night. Every dog in town wanted to take part in the celebration. Doc called the room to quiet down, as the meeting began. "I'd like to dedicate tonight’s meeting to our local dog sled team. Gold collar champions for the fourth year in a row, and to their new lead dog, Balto!"

The room erupted in cheers and howls. What a great finale to the sled season! Nome's most well known canine had led his team to their fourth win of the year, which was their biggest one. It couldn't have been a better day for Balto.

Doc spoke again as the commotion stopped. "It has been quite a run for these dogs," he said, motioning towards the team, "and indeed for their leader. Anything you'd like to say?" he said to them.

"All I can say," Balto began, "is follow your heart. Believe in yourself. And you will be amazed what you can accomplish...amazed with just who you’ll find you really are."

"So, what are you guys going to do now?" someone asked.

"Well," Balto said looking down at the new medal around his neck, hesitating before saying, "we're going to do this all over again, next year!"

Many seemed surprised by this showing of such confidence by Balto. Even his teammates offered a wide eyed glance. "Wow, you really think you can?" someone else asked.

"Well..." Balto said, "we may not be getting any younger, but we're going to give it our all, right guys?" The rest of the team agreed, confident with Balto in front of them. The room erupted once more.

"Which brings me to a special dog we need to honor tonight," Doc added, "He made his final race a great one. Now retiring after nearly eight years on the team, Togo!"

The cheering only got louder, as the oldest member of the team stepped forward to receive his honors. "Thank you," Togo said. "I know I told you all that this was going to be my final season on the team, but...I have an announcement to make." A few gasps were heard, and everyone listened intently, as they were optimistic about what was going to be said. "I've been on this team a long time," Togo continued, "and it has been the greatest time of my life. I thought I was finally ready to retire from it. But, I began to realize this morning, if I make today's race my last one, what am I going to do for the rest of my life? The answer is, absolutely nothing! I'd just be a slouch with no purpose, waiting for my time to come. I would have more time to be with my relatives, and our musher's family. But, I've decided that sledding is the only thing I love to do. So, I'm going to keep on running until I fall over!"

Everyone couldn't believe it. Togo had been running for so long. There was no doubt in everyone's mind he was going to retire after this year. But, when his words sank in, they all cheered once again. One of the most well known dogs in Nome was refusing to give up his passion, and they were overjoyed to hear it.

***

The rest of the meeting consisted mostly of individual recognitions for each of the dogs on the sled team, and some words by a few chosen speakers, and Balto in particular. After the meeting was finally over, and everyone began to pile out, Nikki, Kaltag and Star rushed over to talk to Balto before anyone else could. "Balto," Nikki began, "we forgot to tell ya's dat our musher's taking us on a special off-season vacation to Anchorage."

"Yeah!" said Kaltag. "It's gonna be great! There's so much to do and see in Anchorage. Plus, he's taking us there on a boat!"

"We wanted to invite you to come with us," Star added. "We can get Jenna to come along too! We figured that might encourage you."

Balto only smiled slightly, and shook his head. "Thanks guys," he said. "But, it's been a long season. Jenna and I decided we want to spend some time with our human family...as well as our pups. We just couldn't leave town right now."

The threesome didn't seem too upset. "Eh, we kinda' figured you wouldn't wanna go," Nikki commented.

"We just wanted to put it on the table," said Kaltag.

"Well, also," Balto added, "there's another reason...I want to be able to watch my son Kodi this off-season."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Star asked.

"Can you guys keep a secret," Balto said softly. "Not even Kodi knows about this...I overheard his owner talking earlier this week. Kodi's going to be the new swing dog for the mail run sled team this spring!"

"Really?" Kaltag burst out.

"That's great!" Star added.

"Yeah, but don't tell anyone. I want him to be surprised." Balto began to grin. "He's going to be so happy!"

“Heh, like father, like son, dhere,” Nikki joked.

“Yeah,” Kaltag said, “that’s the most exciting, the most exhilarating, the most-“

Star interrupted him. “That’s the most…” he stopped as everyone looked at him. “Uh sorry, what were you saying Kaltag?”

Kaltag rolled his eyes, and laughed. “It’s okay, buddy. Go ahead.”

“Um, I was just gonna say how great that is!” Star said, a bit nervously.

Kaltag gave him a nudge. “You’re not kidding!” he joked. Everyone started to laugh. As comical as it all was, it was becoming clear that Star was beginning to earn some respect on the team. Bringing Balto back, and showing some bravery in sticking up for him really showed the team just how great a teammate he really was. To add to it, Star was beginning to be more respectful around Kaltag.

Balto laughed as well, just happy that everything had turned out the way it had. Not just the fact that his team had had a great season, but because he had found his passion, and was sticking to it. He also realized that he had learned several valuable lessons throughout all this. Togo for one had inspired him. His speech showed Balto, there is never an end to what you can strive for in life, or what you can learn, no matter how late in the game