Dawson - (c)CarribbeanLady

Dingo - (c)Universal

Saba - (c)Universal

Willow - (c)CarribbeanLady

Kodi - (c)Universal

Balto - (c)Universal

Jenna - (c)Universal

Boris - (c)Universal

Stella - (c)Universal

Harold - (c)CarribbeanLady

Big Ed - (c)CarribbeanLady

     It was a beautiful winters day in the town of Nome. Children running and playing, adults chatting happily as the light wind swept elegantly down the street. At the end of the short snow filled road was a small but tall house. It creaked in the wind yet it looked so homely and warm that you could just jump through the windows and cuddle up by the fire. The porch was filled to the windows with the whitest of snow but the door was a clear path to the crunched road below.

     "Dawson!"

     From the very top window came a red faced husky. His yellow eyes gleamed in the sudden sunlight as his dark auburn pupils watched below him. What had called him was another red husky, although she was much older than him. She wagged her curly tail and scratched at her red bandana before continuing. "Oh goodness," she breathed up to him. "I was scared I'd have missed you and the team."

      The red husky from the window disapeared from the window and was seconds later beside the other red husky. They nuzzled lightly before the boy husky talked in a deep voice. "Don't worry Mother," he said, chuckling slightly. "I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to you and Dad. I'll only be gone for a day or two anyway!"

     "Oh, but I just can't bare to see you out in the freezing cold," his mother said nuzzling him once again.

     "Come on Jenna," another voice was heard as the mother and son turned to see a brown furred, big pawed wolf-like husky step forward. "Dawson's been on many trips before. Why shouldn't he come back this time? Besides, he's got his fathers genes in him." The family chuckled as the brown hybrid walked up to Jenna and nuzzled her deeply. Dawson watched with a frown and a stuck out tounge.

     "Ugh! Mom! Dad!" he yelled out stepping back slightly. "Keep that mushy stuff away from me." His parents chuckled as he shook his head. "Anyway mom, its only a race for a few days. I'll be back before you know it. You told everyone that, right?"

     "Well if I didn't then you did," she said smiling lightly.

     "Dawson!" a voice called as the family looked over towards the young musher. He bent over and slapped his hands on his knees. "C'mere boy!"

      Dawson looked over at his parents before dashing off towards his partner, Harold. Sliding in the snow the hybrid came to a tumbling hault beside his master as they exchanged loving embraces. With a few pats and entergetic licks on the cheek the two finally settled down enough so Harold could get to his feet.

      "Alright boy, alright!" he cooed rubbing his hand ruffly under Dawsons chin. "Lets go get set up shall we then?"

      Nodding quickly Dawson followed his partner towards the start of the race. He hoped his parents would get there in time although it was hard to be known as "The Balto's Son". He really didn't like this title, even though it is the biggest reason why Dawson got on the team. Like father, like son they always say. He loved his father deeply but he just wanted to proove himself and get out from under Balto's shadow.

      The crowds were enormous, seemed like the whole town had showed up. Dawson was quick to glance around for his parents only to spot them playing with his mothers owner, Rosie. Unlocking his gaze from this fun her centered it back on the parting crowd which was moving to let he and Harold through. At the end of the parted path was a sled with a few dogs already attached and waiting for their lead to take his place. 

       "Hey D. Dumbo!"

       "Shut up sissy!"

        "Why should I? He doesn't deserve my attention!"

     Her name was Robin, a golden retriever and she was quite new to the team. Her owners used to own a labrador named Chunk who was put down after being hit in both eyes by a rival dog and becoming blind. It was quite a blow to the team since he was a valued member. Soon after his death the dog beside him moved out of town so two dogs were missing from the team. Harold swore off racing but not before Robin and her twin sister Steph showed up and soon took the missing dogs spot. It was evident Steph had a little crush on Dawson since she gave a cheesy smile everytime he looked at her. Robin, on the other hand, gave no intrest in Dawson whatsoever. She, in fact, spit at his paws when he asked her if she'd like to have a walk with him.

       Dawson looked over at the two sisters as Steph gave him a grin. "Honest, Dawn. She don't mean it!" Robin glared at her sister before returning a hate filled stare at Dawson. He just snuffed loudly and turned to follow Harold to the front of the team.  

      He stood quite still as Harold tied him up at lead, the other mushers doing the same to their dogs. The crowd was too busy chatting to notice one of the other mushers walk over to Harold.

      His name was Edward but most men called him "Big Ed" for good reason. He was gigantic and hulking with streath. His long, bushy red beard muffled most of the words coming out of his mouth although he'd shout most of the time. His dogs were no different then he was, cheaters. The only reason they won was because of those snapping mongrels. Ed ruffly slapped his hand on Harold's shoulder before chuckling deeply. "Got yer self a winner thar' Harold?" he laughed shaking his head. "Jus' like his papa I assume?"

     "Why would you want to know?" Harold asked getting up and facing the other musher in the eyes. Dawson growled low in his throat as he stood by Harolds side. "Heh heh," Ed chuckled again looking down at Dawson. "He ain't got 'em yellow eyes from jus' no one." Ed looked back up at Harold, a more serious face. "I be willin' to make a bet with ye' thar Harry."

     "The names Harold," he snapped back as Dawson looked on with serious worry. Harold was not one to back down from a challenge which got him caught up in betting. He had already lost many of his dogs and Dawson was worried he'd loose others. "What kinda bet?"

      "Well, its pretty simple," Ed said grinning a wide yellow smile. "I'll make ye' a bet that if you win then you can choose anythin' of mine ye' want. But, I win, I get yer lead thar." Dawson blinked quickly as they both looked down at him.

      Harold wouldn't bet Dawson. They were partners. They were best friends. They were... "Deal." The agreement was finished as they shook hands and went their seperate ways. Dawson looked around in confusion of what had just happened.

      "Dawn!"

      He looked back up to see his brother and sisters; Saba, Willow, and Kodi walking towards him. "Oh," he said sighing. "Hey guys."

      "Whats up Dawn?" Kodi asked sitting beside his older brother. "You ain't sick are yah?"

      "Naw," Dawson answered. "I've just been included in a bet between Harold and Ed."

      "What kinda bet?" Willow asked with a short tilt of the head.

     "If Ed wins...he keeps me."

      "What?!" they all gasped. "Harold wouldn't do that!"

      "Oh, but he did," he said sadly. Willow looked up and over to Ed who was quickly yelling at his dogs. "You want me to go over there and rip him apart?" she asked, her fur raising and her teeth coming out from hiding behind her lips.

      "No," Dawson sighed. "I don't wanna start a scene." He watched his paws as the siblings fell into silence. He raised his head again asking, "Hey? Wheres Dingo?"

       "Last time I saw that runt was yesterday whining about you leaving," Saba said licking her paw daintily. Willow snarled and whipped her head over to her sister.

       "I knew it!" she barked loudly so Saba stopped in mid lick to stare at her. "You selfish cow! He's our brother for goodness sake! You don't give a rats ass for any of us! You prissy little..."

        "Hey!" barked Balto as he and Jenna came running over. They're father stepped between the two girls, now muzzle to muzzle with Willow. "What is wrong with you this week? Attacking other dogs, shouting at you're sister. Calm down!" Willow stared straight into his eyes, breathing heavily with her brows furrowed.

         "Fine," Willow said before turning, giving her sister and dirty look, nodding towards Dawson for good luck and strutting off, her nose in the air. Balto sighed as they all watched her go. "What was that abou...?" Balto began to ask but was interupted by the warning bell. Jenna licked Dawson cheek for luck and the family ran off the track. He grinned and turned his eyes forward to the rising mountains in the distance.

         It was a clear day. The clouds were parting to let the sun shine its warm rays on to his fur which he welcomed with a wag of his tail. The mountains looked like a painted picture