Kodi was snoozing outside of the "Shed". Ralph and Kirby were inside roughhousing. The spring weather was warm but the nights still cool. Oh but it felt good to know summer was on the way.

Dusty was at her home a little nervous. When her owner took her to the vet for her checkup, she found out that she was expecting. And Dusty knew who was the father. Kodi her boyfriend… Dusty even though a bit nervous about being a mother, she was excited. She had a soft spot for puppies. She decided to talk to her mother and figure out how to break it to Kodi.

Out the doggy door and down the street also past the post office. Once to the post office she turned down the street on the right. Past a few houses and there it was. The house Dusty was born in. Dusty walked up to the front door and stuck her head through the doggy door. "Mom?" Stacie & Dash, her parents were curled up together sleeping. Stacie’s ear flicked. "Mom." Dusty repeated. Stacie raised her head slowly and her eyes blinked a few times.

"Honey what are you doing here?" Stacie rose to her feet and Dusty walked into the living room.

"I have some news…"

"Were you kicked off the team? Did Kodi dump you? Did someone die?!" Stacie’s eyes were wide. Sometimes Stacie’s imagination got the best of her.

"None of those Mom!" Dusty said. Dusty sighed then sat down. Stacie followed her lead and sat down in front of her.

"What is it Dusty?"

"I’m pregnant with Kodi’s pups."

Stacie gasped. "Oh my goodness! When did you find out?"

"Just this morning. Mom I’m nervous." Dusty spoke.

"Oh honey… I was nervous too." Stacie sighed. "But when you and your siblings were born goodness you brought so much joy into my life. There isn’t one thing that won’t make you nervous about motherhood."

Dusty smiled a bit. "But how will I…you know…"

"Give birth? I’m not going to sugar coat it…it’s painful beyond what you thought you could feel. But let nature take it’s course."

Dusty cringed a bit. "Okay thanks Mom. I better go. I still have to tell Kodi."

Stacie stopped her daughter. "Be patient when you tell him." Dusty nodded before exiting her parents’ home.

***

"So Kodi how’s yours and Dusty’s relationship?" Ralph asked.

"It’s good." Kodi smiled. "No spats, no disagreements…yep it’s great."

Kirby chuckled. "Sure you haven’t gotten busy?" Ralph broke out laughing. Kodi looked at the tan husky, confused.

"What?"

"Oh you know what I’m talking about." Kirby struggled to hold his laughter back.

"I’m not following."

Ralph and Kirby gave him a weird look that kinda made him feel uncomfortable. Kodi thought for a bit. "Oh…" His jaw dropped and his eyes wide. His friends broke out laughing even more from his expression.

"Took you a while!" Ralph laughed. Suddenly, Dusty was at the door.

"What’s got you guys laughing?"

"Nothing." Kirby hushed himself. Dusty rolled her eyes.

"Ralph and Kirby can you give me and Kodi a minute?" Kirby and Ralph looked at each other. Dusty growled. The two walked outside, heads a bit low. They knew better than to mess with Dusty. Dusty watched them leave and once she was for sure she turned her attention to Kodi. "I don’t know how to say this…"Dusty started to pace.

"Say what?" Kodi asked. He tried to make his expression calm but he was worried. "Please sit."

Dusty shook her head. "Kodi I’m…pregnant."

He was shocked. He couldn’t believe it. "What?"

"I just found out this morning that I’m pregnant. Two weeks along."

Kodi let this process in his mind. No wonder she seemed a bit bigger. He walked closer to her and nuzzled her. "Don’t worry Dusty… you’ll be a great mother." Dusty smiled at Kodi.

"Can we get through this?"

"You bet we can get through this."

***

Kodi circled his dad’s boat. "Dad?"

Balto appeared at the bow. "Why hello Kodi! How are things with you and Dusty?"

Kodi looked away then back at his father. Balto leapt down. "Kodi what is it?"

"Dusty’s pregnant."

"Oh…" Balto watched his son.

"I’m scared that I won’t be a good enough father!" Kodi blurted out. Balto stood before his son and was quiet for a bit.

"Kodi…" Kodi looked back up at his dad.

"What does it take to be a good parent?" Kodi asked. He was scared. He never expected pups this soon. He didn’t feel ready at all.

"Son to be a good father you must be patient. Listen to each and every one of them. Puppies only have two feelings it seems. Happy and confused." Kodi chuckled a bit. Balto smiled.

"If you want real advice you better talk to your mother. She’s the one that made it all work." Kodi smiled.

"Thanks Dad." Kodi nuzzled his father before turning back to town. He started off at a steady trot.

"So Balto what’s eating Kodi?" Boris appeared with his mop in hand or rather should say wing. Balto smiled up at the old gander.

"Kodi’s going to be a dad soon." Boris’s bottom jaw dropped.

***

"Hey Mom are you here?" Kodi was waiting outside. Jenna came around from behind the house.

"What is it Kodi?" Jenna was searching his face for answers. Kodi smiled weakly to his mother. Jenna stepped forward and nuzzled her son hoping to comfort him.

"Dusty’s expecting puppies and I’m the father."

Jenna gasped. "I just found out this morning and I was hoping for some advice. Dad gave me some but he said to come to you for real advice."

"Being a parent is tough but the rewards are worth it. Puppies are sensitive and so you need to be gentle with them and don’t get angry around them. Also you need to understand. Dusty and you must have a good partnership because one person can’t do it all by themselves."

Kodi nodded. "I hope that can clear up some of the dust." Jenna said.

"Thank you Mom." Kodi smiled then a whistle rang through the air. "I got to go. Talk to you later mother." Kodi sprinted back to town. Jenna sighed.

"He was a good pup."

***

Dusty wolfed down her food. She wasn’t just eating for herself now. She could hear her owner talking with one of her friends.

"I wonder who the father is."

"I think it’s that red one that I believe is the son of Balto."

"Really?"

Dusty rolled her eyes. "Who else could it be?" Once she finished her meal she trotted outside to get some fresh air.

"Hey Dusty!" Dusty turned to see Kodi coming up the street. Dusty smiled and walked down the stairs to now her mate. "How are you feeling today?" Kodi asked as he nuzzled her.

"Fair I guess." Dusty answered before nuzzling him back. "A little dizzy but fine." Dusty smiled and Kodi returned her smile. "How are you?"

"I’m doing okay. So do you know if you’re going to be off the team for a while?" Dusty nodded yes.

"My owner was talking with our musher and so he’s trying to find a replacement until I’m ready to get back on the team." Kodi thought for a minute searching through his mind.

"But you’ll be back on the team in no time." Kodi smiled and Dusty smirked.

"I just hope the replacement’s good."

***

Kodi was waiting with Ralph, Kirby and the two wheel dogs. For a couple of weeks Kirby or Kodi had to be the leader not both of them to work with Ralph. Everyday that Kodi visited Dusty, she got bigger and moodier. In the back room where she was kept, there was always a big nest of blankets when Kodi came over. Each day Kodi became more nervous but excited.

"Finally he’s found someone to fill in for Dusty." Ralph said happily. Ralph was getting of tired of the entire switch a roos. First it’s lumbering Kirby then the next day the speedier Kodi. He couldn’t keep up of having to switch his pace around just to fit with them. Kodi and Kirby were also relieved. And the wheel dogs….well they don’t care.

"I wonder who it is." Kirby thought for a brief second.

Kodi just shrugged his shoulders then here came their musher with a fine looking husky with them. Kirby whistled. "Man she’s hot!" Kodi chuckled.

"Shona here’s the teammates you’ll be working with for a while." The musher patted her head then was called over by the gentleman that ran the post office. Shona was about Dusty’s height but was light tan nearly cream.

"Hello gentleman." Her sweet voice trapped them. "Who are the leaders?" She asked her blue eyes searching through the five of them.

"Kodi and me, Kirby." Kirby stepped forward. Shona smiled sweetly as she looked over Kirby then Kodi. Shona stroked under Kirby’s chin with her tail. Kirby trembled and felt he was going to melt. As Shona sidestepped over to Kodi he growled.

"Tough boy." Shona smirked.

"I’m taken." Kodi said firmly. Shona rubbed up against him.

"We’ll see about that." She whispered.

***

Shona always ran behind Kodi. Kodi felt somewhat uncomfortable about it but he kept that to himself. Shona teased Kirby and Ralph but Kodi wouldn’t budge. He wasn’t going to mess up his and Dusty’s relationship over Shona.

A few days later they had finished the run and were enjoying the fresh water from their bowls that the musher had laid in front of each of them. The musher removed their harnesses to show the job was done. He gave the dogs each a pat before taking the harnesses and sled away. The wheel dogs had headed for the old factory shed that the team hung out in. Kirby soon followed. "Hey Kodi you coming?" Ralph asked.

Kodi looked back. "I’m going to see Dusty." Ralph nodded before running after Kirby. Shona had other ideas.

Dusty was looking out the front window

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