line. She took a step forward, hesitated, then another. In her mind, the finish line turned into the line in the dirt that was probably still in that alleyway she had practiced running in. Her steps came faster, and she leaned into the rush as she broke into a flat-out run. Blood battered her temples as she pounded closer, closer…

The line in the dirt snapped into the real finish line with the ‘Finish’ banner across the top as Chase crossed the line for the first time. She slammed her small paws into the street and stopped, panting.

There were questioning whispers and murmurs weaving through the crowd, but then someone started to clap. Then someone else joined in, then another. Chase looked up as steadily growing claps crescendoed into appreciative applause, and she thought she even heard one of the dogs cheer! She ducked her head slightly, not sure what to do. She had never expected applause! But she had done it. She had run.

Ketch came up from behind and gave her a very small, short hug. “You did it,” he whispered, and the pride in his voice and eyes made Chase swell inside. Before she knew it, though, Kodi had pushed in and given her an innocent, amazed grin.

“Wow, Chase. You were flying out there! How’d you learn how to run like that with only three legs?”

Chase couldn’t say anything, because Balto and Jenna had appeared at her side, both of them beaming.

“Oh, Chase!” Jenna cried, her proud voice ringing through the street.

“Mom? Why are you here? I thought sick meant sick, like stay home, not get up and go places! What’s it going to be next, Anchorage?” Chase exclaimed.

“I couldn’t miss Kodi’s race, and the doctor says I’m doing better anyway,” Jenna explained, “But I’m even happier I came, now. I didn’t know you were going to run!”

Chase glanced over at Ketch, who had somehow ended up shoved to the side. He shrugged and didn’t smile, but there was a satisfied gleam in his eye. “It was kind of unplanned.”

Jenna leaned in closer to murmur to Chase. “You know, when you were born, your dad and I were thinking of names for you and Copper and Kaila and Dusty. We both saw your leg, and we didn’t know what to think. But…I was the one who suggested your name, Chase. Your dad was a little doubtful, but I knew you were a fighter. I knew you would run, and you did. I’m so proud of you, my girl.”

Chase smiled up at her mother, but then Jenna stepped aside and Chase found herself staring up at her father’s face. His eyes and grin were soft, and she was surprised when she didn’t feel any anger creep up inside her. She had forgiven him for not understanding without even knowing it. She threw herself into Balto and gave him a sincere hug. “I’m sorry, Dad, about how I acted. And…” She stopped, not wanting the words to come out sounding awkward, so she drew back to find Balto looking down at her with pride.

“Thank you,” he said, “I forgive you, too.”

Chase looked up quickly, startled, then smiled shyly. But she still wasn’t used to being around other town dogs, even her own family, so after a few seconds she turned and padded back to where Ketch was standing, away from the noise and crowd. He didn’t look at her as she came to stand beside him.

“Guess you won’t be coming around to the alleyways as much,” he muttered.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, “I’ve proved everything I’ve wanted to prove for the past couple years. I’ve shown everyone I can run, and that I’m not really so different from anyone else, and I don’t want to be such an outsider anymore. I think…I think I need to spend more time with my family. At least now I’ll be more…accepted, I guess.”

“Yeah,” he said gruffly, “It’ll be good to know you’re doing okay.”

“Hey, I’ll still come and see you every once in awhile,” she cried, “And who knows, maybe you could come see ME in town sometime, and start being more than a shadow in the alleys.”

“Is that an order?” Ketch joked, turning to face Chase.

“Yes,” she proclaimed, “And as Second Commander, I order you, lowly commandant, to find me sometime in town so I still know you’re alive and my friend!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ketch saluted her with mock seriousness.

Chase grinned up into Ketch’s earnest face and thought how she would always be a commander, and life was the war she was fighting. She had many battles to face, including keeping her friendship with Ketch alive and finding out where she fit in in her family and in the town’s social ladder. But there was already one battle she had fought and triumphed in: Chase had shown other dogs and people that she was strong and independent, an individual. She had done it. She had run. She had won.

Chase, Kaila, Copper, Dusty, Ketch, and Talos © redwolf03

Balto, Jenna, Steele, Kodi, Rosy, Aniu, Kirby, Ralph, Saba, Dingo, and Aleu © Universal Studios