Balto sat on the edge of his boat, watching Kodi, his mate Dusty and their pups playing on the beach. Jenna was out on a picnic with Rosie, but she promised that she would be back in the evening.
The old wolfdog let the gentle summer breeze ruffle his fur - his dusty pale fur, for it had faded with age. Everything about him had aged. His eyes had filmed over, his joints ached and his whole body trembled. He was tired all the time, even though he took frequent naps.
"Only my spirit is strong now," he whispered to himself. He knew he had heard it before, but where? He strained to remember. Ah yes, he knew now. Nava, the wise old wolf, who stepped down for his daughter Aleu. He would have loved to have seen Aleu again, but she had probably forgotten about him a long time ago.
And there was Boris, the goose who had raised him from a young pup. Boris had flown south now - he'd finally overcome his fear of flying.
And there was Muk and Luk, those lovable little polar bears who'd always cheered him up when he felt down. They were grown up now, and were wild animals now, hunting seals on the pack ice in the far North.
Balto looked down at Kodi rolling in the sand, being tugged and chewed by his puppies. Like father, like son. He still had Kodi, and Jenna too. Jenna was old, like him, but the the glint in her eyes was as young as ever. It was enough to attract his rival, Steele. That proud and fierce sled dog whose pride was shattered by Balto's courage and fidelity. There was the trio, Nikki, Kaltag and Star, who at first despised, but soon showed him kindness and loyalty.

Balto was lost in his thoughts, when he heard a voice in the air.
"Balto..." it whispered. It came from behind him. Balto looked round. No-one was there.
"Balto..." the voice repeated. It was a gentle voice, that made him feel safe. Balto then knew at once whom the voice belonged to.
Two bright eyes appeared before him. Then a face appeared, and then a body. A wolf, as white as snow, sat before him.
"You know who I am, don't you," she said.
"How could I not know you?" Balto replied softly.
"You've been feeling tired lately, haven't you?" Aniu went on. "But I can do something about that. I've come to ask if you would like to join my pack."
Balto looked at her, and then he looked at Kodi and his family, still playing on the beach. He thought of his beloved Jenna.
"Don't worry, they'll be alright," Aniu whispered. "Come along now, my son."
Balto looked at her, and then at the beach again. The he let out a long sorrowful sigh, and lay down, his body heaving up and down. It began to relax, and finally, it went limp. He then sat up, and looked willingly at his wolf mother.
Aniu took a huge leap from the boat. Balto followed her, and he suddenly felt young and strong again. He soared high above the sea, and he let out the a long plaintive howl - the song of a young wolf.  Following his mother, he glided away into the pale watery sun.

"Alright pups, bedtime now!" Dusty called in her litter. She looked lovingly at Kodi.
"Say, where's your father?" she asked.
"I'll go and find him, you go and put those naughty little rascals to bed." The mischievous pups looked at him reprovingly.
Kodi smiled, and watched his family leave. Then, he climbed into Balto's boat.
"Dad!" he called. No answer. He padded over to the deck that over looked the beach. And on the wooden boards, lay Balto. He was very cold, and very still. Kodi nudged him, and his heart filled with an icy dread. He didn't start crying, or run screaming for help. He just stared, with eyes of disbelief.

Balto watched over as Kodi stared at Balto's dead body.
He felt sad for Kodi, but again, Aniu's gently voice echoed in his mind,
"Don't worry, he'll be alright. And thousands like him. Come with me, and you'll see."