dog toward the team. The small dog asked him, "Steele, is this our chance? Our chance for revenge?"

"Oh yes, my son Metel. I want you to get as close to them as possible while keeping diagonally from me. That way, we can fight them more efficiently."

"Got it, Dad."

"And stay away from the eldest, that Balto. He's for me to finish down after I get Kodi and the others. You focus on Rodeo and make sure you get a few hits in on Kodi, if you want to at all. Just the main thing is defense I want you to focus on, and counter-attacks."

"Got it."

Finally Steele jumped out it front of the team, snarling. All the dogs willingly slipped out of their harness, and the musher let them go. He watched from a distance, sure to interfere if something went wrong. "Well, hello Steele. I thought you were exiled, and yah, you don't really belong here."

Steele's teeth clacked in warning, and he began to move forward, ready to strike.

The musher rushed toward him now. "Out, Steele, out! Go, you don't belong here." The musher inspected all his dogs' skin, then he let Rodeo pull the sled the rest of the way by himself. They all knew Steele would return, but for now they were safe. Rodeo gave a victorious howl that Balto, Kodi, and even Jenna joined in. They had done it!

There was news of Rodeo's great feat all across Alaska. Some said Balto was related to Rodeo, others did not. But through all the fame and fourtune, Rodeo didn't change one bit besides growing bigger like he should be. The musher had arranged a race to decide if Rodeo was seriously up to taking the lead. When Kodi and Rodeo lined up at the line, they said to each other, "May the best dog win, with no hard feelings."

On your mark, get set, AND... they're off!

As Rodeo stood in line before the start, he saw Balto crouching down as if preparing to run. Rodeo laughed, and then Rodeo sprang from his position and raced Kodi to the finish line.

In the end, Rodeo won, taking the lead. Kodi gave the harness and all his good tidings to Rodeo's job with this words: "Rodeo, you did a fine job, and you always will. Good, no, great luck to you!"

Chapter 5: Pups Of His Own

Rodeo grew, and so did his passion for his job. By the time of his retirement, he had worked a fabulous three years, and still was in top condition. Though Rodeo missed his job, he took his retirement with open arms and met another sweet half-breed female. Around the same time that Jenna had her second litter, Rodeo found that for once, his sweet wife Domina was gone. Rushing toward him came an older Kodi. "Jenna has had her second litter, and Domina is due too." Kodi scratched his own side. "You better go check it out. She's in the celler of the Church, ya know the way to get in?"

"No, actually..."

"There's a little trap-door kind of thing beside the building, though it's in clear view. It's open, Domina probably opened it."

"Thanks Kodi. You going to see your new siblings?"

"Mhmm." Kodi said lazily as Rodeo rushed off.

Rodeo slowly went through the open cellar door, sniffing around. The air was misty, thick, and it smelled like rust. Rodeo wondered why Domina would choose such a space to birth her pups.

"Rodeo, is that you?" said an exhausted, pained voice.

"Yes it's me. I've been looking all over for you, Domina dear."

Domina was laying on her side on some laundry from a basket she had tipped over. She was breathing quite heavily and unevenly. The pain was beginning to become unbearable. "Here goes..." whimpered Domina as four little puppies were born.

She lined them up side by side beside her.

"They're beautiful." whispered Domina. Rodeo watched his two sons and two daughters. "Beautiful just like you."

Rodeo nuzzled Domina in the small dim light of the celler, both parents watching their kids proudly, already thinking of names.

CONTINUED IN RODEO IN NOME: Cella

Deep in the night
the winds blow cold
and in a heartbeat
the fear takes hold

Deep in the storm
there's a place that's soft and still
where the road waits to be taken
if you only will

The voices inside you
can lead your soul astray
Believe in what you dream
Don't turn away
don't you turn away

Reach for the light
You might touch the sky
Stand on the mountaintop
and see yourself flying
Reach for the light
to capture a star
Come out of the darkness
and find out who you are

Somewhere in time
the truth shines through
and the spirit knows
what it has to do

Somewhere in you
there's a power with no name
It can rise to meet the moment
and burn like a flame

And you can be stronger
than anything you know
Hold on to what you see
Don't let it go
don't you let it go

Now, there's no turning back
when your destiny is calling
Listen to the thunder roll
and let your heart break free

Yes, reach for the light