It's mine! Besides, I'm NOT a coyote, I'm half wolf!"

The dog growled deep within his throat, and backed Balto and Boris up against a wall. "Well, I don't know who your Mamma and Daddy are, but I can tell you that they'd probably thank me for doing what I'm going to do."

The dog adanced on them, when just as the dog was going to grab Balto a new voice rang out. "Leave the pup alone!"


Chapter 6

Balto was shuddering with fear, but he felt relieved when a new, rather stocky dog strode up to the other, fairly bristling with rage. "Ringo! Leave him be! You're lucky I don't deal with you right in front of him!"

"But Tag, he's a half breed!" Ringo whined, "You know what a shame it is to have one of those running around town. I was doing the mutt a favor by geting rid of him before someone else does."

Tag's mis-matched colored eyes glowered. "Do something stupid like that again, and you'll deal with me. As it is I will never let you out of my sight again."

"A wonder you can even see with those weird eyes of your's." Ringo muttered under his breath. He grudgingly left.

Tag's fur flattened and he turned to look at the goose and the pup. "You hurt?"

Balto shook his head, though he was still afraid. "No sir."

"What are you doing here in the middle of town, pup? Any one can tell by one glance at you have wolf blood in you. It's not safe for you here."

Balto's fur bristled and he felt as if his anger was suffocating him as he felt tears sting his eyes. "What's it matter to you whether or not I'm part wolf? Dogs will never understand! I'm hungry, my mother is dead, and I don't even have a place to live!"

The husky shook his head and spoke in a hurried tone. "Hush now! I have nothing against wolves, so calm down." He laid his paw on him, and though he could feel the pup tense, he didn't move. "I know what it's like to live out on the streets. I was a stray until I was half a year old when I became a sled dog. I know exactly how you feel."

Balto relaxed and Boris waddled forward. "So, you know where we can sleep and eat without being eaten? Oy, what are you dogs, cannibles?"

Tag's blue and brown eyes laughed, even though he didn't laugh out loud. "In fact, I know of a good place for you two to stay. Come with me."

He led them through town, and grabbed link of sausages for Balto along the way. "So, that's my story." He said, finishing up his story about himself that he was telling them. "Anyway, here is the place I stayed."

He halted in front of an old boat that sat on the outskirts of town. Balto wrinkled his nose sornfully. "It looks like it'll fall down any second."

Tag smiled. "I know it's a little old, but it'll do. It's far enough away so humans and dogs alike won't bother you."

Balto sniffed around the boat and pounced on a red cat shaped toy. "Hey Mr.! Was this thing your's?"

Tag laughed again. "Yep, sure was. So were these." He nudged a food and water dish. "You can have them. I also have a blanket or two here, in case you need them." He paused, and looked at Balto with a strange look in his eyes. It looked almost like he was hungry, but not in the physical way. "I hope you keep out of trouble. I'd hate to hear about you getting hurt or worse."

studying the look further for a moment, Balto thought it looked like the dog was lonesome, though he still couldn't seem to put his paw on what it. "I won't get hurt. Boris is good at keeping me out of trouble ...most of the time anyway."

Tag nodded. "I have to leave now. Me and my team are headed to Juneu for the summer. Maybe I'll see you around this winter. What's your name?"

"Balto."

Tag repeated the name to himself, and grinned. "Well Balto, I'll pop in tomorrow to see you before I leave, how's that?"

Boris huffed a sigh, but Balto wagged his tail. "Ok! I'll see you around". He smiled as he watched the dog leave. "Good bye Tag. I'll miss you." He whispered softly.

Boris rolled his eyes. "So are you going to stay up all night or what?"

"Coming!" Balto trotted after him into the cabin and laid down.  He smiled that smug smile that Boris knew would drive him crazy once Balto got older. "Well, you were wrong. I did make a friend today."

"Alright alright, so I make some mistakes. Oy! Such tsuris I am asking for, raising you! Who ever heard of a wolf dog being raised by a goose?"



Epilogue

Balto smiled fondly at he memory as he finished the story. Tovah had almost fallen asleep, but she managed to ask for more. "But what about Mom? When did you meet her? And how did you end up with Muk and Luk?"

"Go to sleep now!" Balto groaned. "I've been telling you this for over an hour."

He shook his head ruefully as he watched her fall asleep in his paws. He would have to spend many nights to tell all the stories she wanted to hear, like how he was reunited with Kemo and Tara, how he had met Jenna, and how he and Tag discovered the truth about the fact that Tag was actually his father.

As he laid down he chuckled to himself. "Boy, you could make a movie about me I've been through so much!"


THE END