I don't remember much about my life as a puppy, besides the fact that I was always treated like a misfit by my brothers and sisters. 

Everything about me was different, from my appearance to my personality. I had markings unlike any other dog in Nome, which included a red mask on my face and peculiar leg markings which resembled a wolf's. And unlike my rough-and-tumble siblings I preferred running to mindless play-fighting. Okay, I'll admit it, the essential skills for survival are learned through play fights with your kin, but I loved hearing the rush of the wind in my ears and the feeling of it through my fur so much as I ran across the beach, the waves occasionally rolling up the sand and tickling at my feet. 

Eventually my littermates refused to let me participate in any of their games, and tried their best to shove me out of the nest at night, thankfully my gentle and loving mother, Jenna, wouldn't allow it. She allowed me to curl up next to her warm, furry neck as we slept, and made sure I got an extra-long chance at feeding after my brothers and sisters had their share of milk. It caused my siblings to become jealous, but was essential to my survival. These days some humans say that if it wasn't for Jenna's strong maternal instincts I probably wouldn't have lasted more than a few days. After all, I was the smallest and weakest of the litter...

...I was the runt.

"You'll never get to pull a sled" sneered my brothers and sisters. "You're way too small and slow, and not nearly strong enough, what musher would want you on their team? When they could have us?"

Of course, I knew that wasn't true. I knew I was tough depite my small size and I was definitely the fastest of my siblings.

I tried not to let that get in my way of training hard with my father, Balto, whenever I had the chance. He went running with me along the beach in the evening, but always slowed his pace down to match mine. I bet him a few times, but looking back I knoew he let me beat him by slowing down more towards the end to help boost my confidence. I'm not angry at him for doing that, because it DID help me to stay determined and now I can beat him even when he's at his fastest.

I truly love my father. He was the one who taught me to run soon after I could walk. He was the one who knew that some day, despite my size, I'd be lead dog on a sled team. He was the one, who truly believed in me...and the dog I trusted the most.

Weeks passed. Then one bitter, frosty morning I awoke inside a small, wooden box in the centre of Nome.  I panicked, until I saw my brothers and sisters around me and my parents gazing down at us. Their presance re-assured us that we were safe, and my littermates carried on with their playing, treating the box like a new game. But I knew something was not right...

Hours passed, and humans came and went, stopping to fuss over us. I was used to this, my Mothers human, Rosy, had brought her friends from school over to meet us on numerous occasions, but I was very surprised when a little girl picked me up and carried me away after exclaiming how cute and little i was, hugging me close to her chest with a smile on her face.

Where was she taking me? Why was I leaving my family?! I panicked once again, until I peered over her shoulder and saw my father, Balto, smiling back at me with a proud expression on his face. He had just assured me that my life would be better from now on without needing to say a word.

I smiled back and waved my family goodbye as the little girl stroked and spoke to me. I liked her, she had a friendly scent about her. Two older humans were with her, I assumed they were her parents, I recognised one of the men as a local Musher named Jonathan whose champion dog sled team had competed in various competitions. My spirits lifted, maybe, just maybe, I was going to get the chance to run alongside heroes like Blade, Swift and Arrow. Three of the fastest dogs in Nome.

Maybe I was cut out to be a sled dog after all...

I was brought to the family home. The little girl, Aneli, showed me the house where I was to live for the next six months. A small, wicker basket was was at the bottom of Aneli's bed, just the right size for a small puppy. I had food bowls in the kitchen and toys for chewing on. The house was warm and I liked the atmosphere. Suddenly I didn't miss my family any more, and followed Aneli into the living room. I wanted to be around her as much as possible.

In the living room there was a large dog resting by the fireplace. She wagged her tail and woofed a friendly greeting as Aneli and I entered the room.

"This is Anna" Aneli said proudly as she introduced me to the dog. "She's a Golden Retriever and really friendly. She'll help you to settle in. Anna, this is, umm...we'll call her Nekai! Anna, meet Nekai, our new puppy, play nice! I'll be back after dinner".

Aneli then left the room and shut the door, I could hear voices in the next room and smelled food. I let out a whimper and wanted to be with my family, but when no one responded I decided it would be best if I got to know my housemate.

I trotted up to Anna and sat down beside her. she explained to me how she had been in the family for years and would help me get used to life as a pet. She told me that I might be able to become a sled dog and would start my training at six months old. She also told me something that made me feel very happy, that with time I would be allowed outside to roam whenever I wanted and could find my mothers house a few streets away.

I slept well that night, and dreamt of running alongside my idols, I awoke early the next morning and was fed delicious food. After a few hours, Aneli and Jonathan took me to a medium sixed hay barn and I was told that when I grew up I'd be living there with the other dogs. I was taken inside and introduced to several dogs, all were well fed and cosy in the barn.

I was first introduced to a large black and white male, who stared at me with critical, ice blue eyes. He didn't seem to approve of me.

"This here is Steele", explained Jonathan, he's one of the fastest and most experienced dogs in Nome but not as fast as your father, Good Ol' Balto. At the mention of that name, Steele cringed. Was this runt, the daughter of his worst enemy, really going to be a part of his team? He couldn't allow it.

Steele retreated and I was then introduced to a young dog, 7 months old, who had just started his training. He had dark grey fur, with white markings, and brown eyes. His name was Kafka and when he smiled warmly I didn't feel scared anymore. I was also glad that there was another puppy in this canine family, maybe later he'd want to play?

Later I was introduced to Roscoe, a mischievous husky with Light brown fur and a white patch on one eye. He seemed to be only one or two years old and inexperienced, all he really wanted was to play and he seemed excited to meet a new dog. 

I began to wonder where Blade, Swift and Arrow were. After a half of an hour Aneli and I turned to go home while Jonathan got ready to take the dogs out for training. We approached the doorway and I had my head down, I was feeling disappointed as I hadn't gotten to meet my idols. I wasn't looking where I was going and walked straight in to something, sitting back I looked up and saw three dogs, one white, one silver/red and one Solid black. Each wore golden collars with silver tags that shone. On them were engraved the names, 'Blade', 'Arrow' and 'Swift'.

They watched me, without moving a muscle, I couldn't belivee my eyes. Three of the fastest dogs in Nome were standing right before me...