Balto

Balto

 

‘What? I can’t believe it! That’s great!’ Dusty had just told Kodi she was having pups.

‘I know.’ Dusty nuzzled Kodi.

‘When are they due?’

‘About three weeks.’ Dusty smiled.

‘Does anyone else know yet?’ Kodi asked.

‘No. I thought you’d like to know before everyone else.’ Dusty said.

Kodi nodded.

‘That’s great, Kodi!’ Balto said once Kodi had came running to the boat to tell Balto the great news. ‘Congrats!’

‘Thanks, dad.’ Kodi beamed.

‘I can’t believe it! I’ve got to go on a mail run the week the pups are due!’ Kodi moaned a week later. Dusty had to stay in the house and wasn’t allowed on the sled runs because she was having pups. Kodi had to take Dusty’s position on the sled team and Kodi had asked Balto to be lead dog. Kodi moaned right up until the moment they were harnessed.

‘Dusty?’ Kodi spotted Dusty walking slowly beside Jenna. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I had to say goodbye and I couldn’t resist coming out to see you.’ Dusty said.

Kodi nuzzled her. ‘Look, I’m sorry I have to go out on a mail run’-

‘It’s not your fault, Kodi. If they come while you’re gone, I won’t let anyone else see them until you’re back…’ Dusty grinned, ‘Even if that means it’s a week!’ Kodi smiled and nuzzled her.

‘Come on!’ The musher called.

‘Bye.’ Kodi said quickly, ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ Dusty said and took a step back.

Two days later, Kodi ran as fast as possible, they were on their way back to Nome. Balto knew Kodi wanted to get back as soon as possible so he kept the pace fast. It began snowing and Balto had to eventually slow the pace.

‘I can’t see where we’re going!’ Kirby complained.

‘Neither can I.’ Ralph spoke up.

‘I can’t.’ Balto admitted. ‘But I think I know where we are. Come on, hurry up or we’ll be lost for sure!’

‘Dad, its impossible for all we know we could be about to walk of a cliff!’ Kodi protested, although he wanted to get back to Nome, it wouldn’t help Dusty if they got lost or if the team walked right of a cliff. Balto suddenly stopped.

‘It’s not safe here…something’s wrong.’ Balto said, taking a step back.

The team groaned, and took a few steps back.

‘We need to go around it, there’s ice ahead.’ Balto said.

The snow was getting worse and it was impossible to see. The snow was catching in the dogs eyes and they had to squint to see.

‘Come on guys.’ Balto encouraged, ‘We have to keep going, don’t stop now.’

‘We can’t Balto. The winds too strong.’ Kirby said.

‘Don’t quit now guys. Nome isn’t far off.’ Balto said.

‘How do you know?’ Ralph said.

‘Because I do. Now come on!’ Balto quickened up the pace.

Kodi was freezing. His body ached with cold and he could feel his tail going numb.

‘Dad! We’re going to freeze out here!’ Kodi called.

‘Don’t worry Kodi. Not far now.’ Balto looked back at his son, shivering. Kodi nodded.

‘Where are they?’ Dusty was pacing up and down inside her owners house.

‘I’m sure their fine.’ Jenna said, she’d come round to visit Dusty before the snow storm had started.

‘But what if…’

‘Balto’s gotten the team home before in worse conditions. Don’t worry, he’ll be back, I know he will.’ Jenna said more confidently than she felt.

Dusty nodded and stared out the window.

There was howling the distance. Balto’s howl. Jenna jumped up.

‘Balto!’ she and Dusty ran out of the dog flap.

‘I can’t see anything.’ Dusty said.

‘You shouldn’t be out here in your condition.’ Jenna said. ‘But they’re coming, trust me.’ Dusty nodded and went inside.

Balto and the team were running as fast as ever. Their coats covered in snow. Balto howled. He saw a figure in the distance.

‘Jenna.’ Balto smiled and ran faster. He howled again and the team barked. The lights in Nome went on and the residents of Nome rushed outside. Balto lead the team to where Jenna was and stopped there.

‘I was so worried about you.’ Jenna nuzzled him. Balto shaked the snow off of him and licked Jenna’s muzzle. Jenna ran to Kodi and hugged him.

‘Kodi, your freezing!’ she said.

‘I know.’ Kodi muttered.

‘Dusty’s waiting for you.’ Jenna smiled, ‘Better not keep her waiting.’

Kodi nodded and made his way to Dusty’s.

‘Have the pups came yet?’ Balto asked quietly when Kodi was gone.

‘I don’t think so. But Dusty ran inside about ten minutes ago so they might of.’ Jenna replied.

Kodi shook the snow off of him before going into Dusty’s.

‘Dusty?’ Kodi called.

‘In here, Kodi!’ Dusty called back. Dusty was sitting in a basket. There were three newborn pups beside her. Kodi gasped and came to her side.

‘They’re beautiful.’ He whispered.

‘I know.’ Dusty said. One of them looked like Kodi and one looked like Dusty. But one was all white. ‘Two boys and one girl. The white one is the girl.’

‘What will we name them?’ Kodi asked.

‘I was thinking Emmy for the girl.’ Dusty said.

‘And the boys?’

Dusty pause for a moment.

‘How about Zen and Luek?’ She suggested. Kodi nodded and nuzzled Dusty.

‘Dad!’ Kodi came running round to the boat the next day. Balto was looking at him, sleepily.

‘What?’ He mumbled.

‘You’re a granddad!’ Kodi said grinning, it had been late when the sled team had finally arrived back and Kodi hadn’t left Dusty's that night.

Balto instantly got up. ‘What?’

‘Dusty had her pups last night.’ Kodi said.

‘Now I feel old.’ Balto said, grinning. ‘How many are there?’

Kodi chuckled. ‘Three. Two boys and one girl.’

‘What’re their names?’ Balto asked.

‘Zen, Luek and Emmy.’ Kodi replied. ‘You and mum can come round if you like.’

One month later.

 

‘Zen, Luek come here!’ Kodi ran desperately after the pups. Emmy was on Kodi’s back, laughing at her brothers who thought this a game.

Balto chuckled from the distance of the boat, Kodi had no idea that Balto was watching. Zen and Luek ran over to the boat.

‘Granddad!’ The pups yelled, Emmy jumped off of Kodi’s back and followed her brothers over to Balto. Zen chewed Balto's leg, while Luek and Emmy were trying to get onto Balto’s back. Balto laughed.

‘Sorry dad.’ Kodi said out of breath.

Balto chuckled. ‘You’re the fastest dog on the mail team yet you can’t even beat your pups at a race!’ He grinned.

‘I’ve had no sleep!’ Kodi protested. ‘They chew everything in sight, including me and Dusty, and they’re up half of the night whimpering about nightmares…Oh, dad, how did you and mum cope with us?’

‘There was six of you remember and we managed fine.’ Balto grinned, ‘I still remember Jenna going on about you lot chewing her bed to shreds…’

‘You should hear Dusty…She’s going mad with them chewing everything…’ Kodi muttered.

‘I’ll watch them for a while if you like. I’ve got nothing to do anyway.’ Balto offered.

‘Would you?’ Kodi said desperately. Balto nodded. ‘Thanks dad, I’ll tell Dusty. Pups, stay with here and behave!’ Kodi warned. The pups wagged their tails.

‘Balto! Get them off of me!’ A voice yelled. Balto went outside onto the beach and laughed at the pups all chewing Boris.

‘Come on pups, leave old Uncle Boris alone!’ Balto said, trying not to laugh. The pups got bored and ran to Balto. ‘And don’t chew on me either!’

Balto was awoken by his ear being chewed on.

‘Zen!’ Balto groaned. Zen giggled. Balto got up. ‘Where’re your brother and sister gotten to?’ Zen just leapt for Balto’s tail and was trying to catch it.

‘I’ll be glad when the pups get homes.’ Dusty groaned two days later, the pups had kept her up all night.

‘Only one more week and then we can sleep in peace.’ Kodi grinned.

The door of the boiler room opened and the mail team looked up.

‘Kodi!’ Dusty jumped up. Kodi was barely recognizable. There was deep wound on his shoulder and near to his right ear a huge wound was bleeding. His back was covered with scratches.

‘Kodi what happened?’ Kirby got up and walked over to him.

‘Lycan…’ Kodi fell.

‘I’ll get help.’ Ralph said and sprinted towards the vets. Dusty lay down beside Kodi and licked his muzzle. Kodi coughed.

Dusty waited anxiously outside the vets. It seemed liked hours before the door finally opened and Dusty ran in.

‘Oh Kodi.’ Dusty hugged Kodi. Kodi licked her muzzle. ‘How’re you?’ Dusty asked.

‘Better than what I was before.’ Kodi muttered. ‘Dusty, I’m fine.’ Kodi said once he saw the worried look on Dusty’s face. Dusty nodded.

‘Balto!’ Balto was sleeping when Jenna came running to the boat.

Jenna nudged him.

‘What?’ Balto opened his eyes and got up. He yawned.

‘Kodi,

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