the door. After a few seconds the door opened and Jack, Teal’s musher, stood in the doorway. “Hey, Jack. You know that dog Tera?”

“Oh yeah, I like Tera. She’s a sweetheart alright. What about her?”

“Do you know her owner?”

“No not really he doesn’t really come around very often. Why?”

“Well, Teal came to me just a while ago and was pestering me to follow him. I thought he wanted to go for a walk, so I took him outside and let him lead. He led me to Tera’s house and while we were passing by, she came limping out. When I was looking her over Teal barked at the house, and when I looked up I saw a beer bottle flying at my face. The guy threw it at me. He hurts that dog Jack. He’s a drunk, and he’s gonna turn her mean if he keeps this up. I don’t want that to happen to her. She’s too good for that.” Jack thought about it, then he said to Toby, “Toby, we don’t have much at all in the way of law inforcement in this town yet unfortunately, so we’ll have to wing this one. You’re leavin’ early tomorrow right?”

“Uh. . .yeah, Jack-“

“Maybe you can-“

“Jack-“

“Toby, how would you feel about taking two dogs back to Ontario with you?”

“What?! I hardly had enough money to feed and pay for the transport weight of one big dog and me, how could I possibly pay for another one? I’m not sayin’ I don’t want to help, believe me I do, but I don’t see how we could do it.” Jack nodded. “I’ll think of somethin’. What I need you to do is figure out how much it took to get just Teal here, then we can easily figure out how much we need to get all three of you back. Do you have the money to get you and Teal back?”

“Yeah, I spent half of it getting here, and I’ll spend half getting back. Any ideas as to how we get the other part?”

“I’ll ask around. I think the Musher’s Building has a little money that it uses to help dog-related things like abuse and stuff. Maybe they can help.”

“Okay. You do that and I’ll go home and work the numbers.” Jack made his way to the Musher’s office and told them his story. They gave him enough money to send back two more dogs with Toby. “Dogs are one of our most valuble assets after all.” The office manager said. Meanwhile, Toby was at his house, ‘working the numbers’ as he put it, when he heard scratching on the door. He walked over and opened it. Tera stood there, giving him a pitiful look, hoping to get in. Toby had always had a weakness for dogs who gave him sad, pleading looks. “Alright girl, come on in.” She walked in and made her way to Teal. He was laying down close to Toby’s chair. She laid down beside him. “Hi.” He said smiling. She smiled back and rested her head on his shoulder again. “Tera?”

“Yes?”

“Did you know that they’re going to other people for money, even the Musher’s Building so you can come back to Ontario with me?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Ya know something else?”

“What?”

“You’re worth every cent of it. And more.” She smiled and kissed him. Then Jack burst through the door. “Hey Toby! I went to the Musher’s office and they gave you twice as much as you needed!” Toby looked shocked. “Really?! That’s awesome! Thanks for your help Jack.”

“No problem.” there was a bit of silence, then “I’m glad you came Toby. Your dog is the best I’ve ever seen.” then he added with a laugh, “You’re not so bad either. I’ll see ya ‘round.” He walked out the door. He had the money. Now Teal could take Tera back with him. Back to Ontario. That night, Tera stayed at Toby’s house. Early the next morning, before sunrise, they loaded up their stuff into the double prop plane, said a few last ‘goodbye’s and climbed in. They could feel the plane rock as the blocks were removed and the enjines were started. The plane lurched as it began taxiing into the takeoff position on the runway. It got faster and faster. Then all the vibrating stopped as it lifted off the ground and into the sky. The people watched and waved as they watched the plane level out, turn east, and disappear over the mountain tops.