Balto gently pulled Rosy's pajama top sleeve. He wnated her up for two important reason's: 1. Jenna wasn't here. 2. it was sled race day for the children of Nome, Alaska. The children of Nome decided that, today, Decmeber 14th, exaclty one week after their almost dimise, they'd celebrate Balto, and the other sled dogs who saved their young lives. December 14th, would be the day each year, everyone who owned a sled dog or two, could race against each other.

Rosy groggily rose out of bed, rubbed her eyes , smiled a little gentle grin towards Balto and said, " Balto, it's race day, are you exicited?" she asked joyfully. Balto barked happily in response,"You bet!". Since Rosy could understand what dogs said, she patted his head and spoke cheerfully, "Silly, Balto."

Rosy hopped out of bed, made the mess of sheets, pillows, quilts, and stuffed animals, and got dressed. She put on a thick buttercup yellow turtleneck sweater, and small brown trousers. The pair were hungary and ravenous, so they hurried downstairs, and low and behold, there were a stack of pancakes for Rosy, and a cooked steak for Balto. Rosy's father George, smiled at the two, then spoke," G'morning you two, you exictied for the race? Rosy swallowed a mothful of pancakes and mumbled, "You bet!".

Just then Rosy's mother, Mary entered the room and smiled. " Rosy, it's almost you're birthday. What would you like?" Rosy quicky responded, "I want Balto to live with us!" Both her parents grinned like chesire cats, and said in unison, "We'll see." Just then Jenny in Jenna body, strode through the door. She had spent the night with Steele, after her report of progress. She caught Balto's eye and scowled.  Jenny pushed poor Balto down into his steak, and snicklered, "Eat up, piggy, oink, oink!"

Rosy grabbed Jenna's bandana, tugged it gently, and rumbled, " Jenna, that isn't very nice!" Jenny snapped at Rosy's hand, it didn't hurt, but it made Rosy cry. " Mommy, why is Jenna acting like this?!" As Mary comforted her daughter, George picked up Jenna's food and water bowl, ran upstairs, grabbed a blanket, put that upstairs,  a few chew toys, and finally, Jenna. Her put her in a small room, that had a small window to see out of. He looked as angry as a bull seeing red, "Jenna, one more strike and it's the pound!" and he slammed the door.

Jenny snickered, she disliked her sister, but the pound? She could never do that to anyone, even her accomplished sister.

Balto gently shook his head, trying to shake of the steak juice. Why was Jenna acting this way? Balto was betting Steele had something to do with it. Rosy eventually stopped crying, and helped her Mother clean Balto's face off. Then she led Balto in the living room, and brushed him gently, whispering compliements, "Your a big, strong,brave,kind,smart, dog Balto." Balto closed his auburn eyes and let Rosy's compliemets run over him like warm water.

Rosy gently shoke Balto awake, and helped him into his harness. When that was all set to go, Rosy slipped some "doggie socks" onto Balto's feet to keep them warm. As Rosy made a quick once over of the sled, Her parents came out, and slipped her mushers hat on her head, telling the odd duo to have a good time and to do their best. Rosy replied that they would, and told Balto to, Go!

Balto did so willingly, and while running glanced up at the window his mate was being held in, Jenny lokked down at him, and for once didn't make a face, she was thinking about what her plan to escape the house and to see Steele would be. Balto smilied, thinking maybe his mate had calmed down.

Rosy soon led Balto to the outskirts of town, pulling up beside her best friend, Richard. Richard smilied when he saw Rosy, and pulled his sliegh to a standstill, Kaltag was glad for the brake, he loved his little master very much, but sometimes he tended to push Kaltag a little too much, speed wise.

"Hey Rosy, Balto." He handed Rosy a spare sausage from breakfast for Balto, since Kaltag had already been feed his sausage he didn't mind one bit. Kaltag spoke to Balto in his usaul rushed manner,"Balto, your gonna win this race! Your are the most fast, slick,strong,-" "Thanks Kaltag, Balto said cutting the Chinkook off. "You'll do well too."

The crowd of spectors gathering failed to notice Jenna, waltzing through the crowd looking for Balto. She scanned the small racing track and spotted him imeddiatley. Oh! how she longed to hug her mate and tell him what had happened. But as Jenna was about to go, the very last person whom she hoped to see on this planet showed up. Steele. The huge Malamute spotted Jenna, and pushed himself into her side, smiling somewhat shyly. "Hey, Jenna." He cooed, "I was wondering if you would like to go to the beach or something tonight." Jenna made a disgusted face, and seethed," You got me into this mess, you son of a bi-"

Suddenly, a small boy climed aborad his father's St. Bernard, Doc, and shouted,"Mushers, on your marks, get set,...GO!!!" Balto took off at a great speed, Rosy was squealing with delight. He saw Nikki catching up with him, the heavy Chow was panting hard, and fell behind. A small brown Malamute tried to pass Balto, but tired. Before Balto knew it, he and Rosy were almost at the finish line, when Steele snapped at Balto's legs and drew blood.

The little boy refree saw this a blew his whistle. Several kids grabbed Steele's ruff on his neck and pulled him back, while Rosy, Richard, Kaltag, and Nikki tended to Balto. Jenna couldn't stand it anymore so she rushed to Balto. "Jenny" Rosy said bewtween sobs, "what're you doing here?" Jenna licked the girl's tear-stained face, and gently nuged Balto's ear.

At Dr. Furlo's vertrainary office, he gently wrapped Balto's wound and sent he and Rosy home. Jenna in Jenny's form waited for them outside. She barked happily when Rosy patted her head and licked her hand when she said she was acting like Jenna. Rosy decied to give Balto some free time, so Jenna siezed up the oppurunity. "Balto, I was wondering if you would like to take a stroll on the beach?" Balto smilied,"Sure, Jenny that would nice." Maybe this was what he needed after his martial issues.

"Jenny you got sand in your fur!" Balto chuckled. It was a week after their first date and their were romping on the beach playfully. "Opps, thanks Balto." she said. She wiped off the sand with her tail. Jenna turned to face him, her lover, who didn't even know what happened to her. Jenna gazed into Balto's amber eyes, he into Her amber ones, and that's where we'll end tonight.