racing, which was a traditional pastime.

As Jimmy and his family made their way to the vet’s office, a champion dog-sledding team slid past them on the snowy, slushy street, barking and whining as they used their combined strength to move the sled and the thickly-dressed human that called the shots for his team. The red-haired boy paused for a moment to watch them head out of town, but his thoughts were now filled with a future for his newfound pup, imagining the black and white Malamute male all grown up and leading a dog-sledding team. He could see him – Steele was stronger, bigger, and faster . . . he would be a champion! Jimmy was sure of it. 

His eyes gazed down on the blind pup, smiling as he was thinking about what his little pup could soon become once he began to get nourishment from the vet. I don’t care if anyone says that you’re a runt, Steele, Jimmy said to himself. You have just as much of a chance as any other pup to become something great.

 I just know that you’ll be a sled dog once you grow up . . . and I’ll be the one to help train you! 

(Part I – completed 4/22/08)