at me. I glanced on him, but focused on the approaching city. A flare gun went off and something burst in the air. The other lead dog pushed himself in front of me as we made it to the main street. I could see the finish now. Fatigue started to set in and I fought it bitterly. My lungs burned and my legs felt numb and heavy at the same time. But I wasn’t going to let my team down! I leapt forward and passed the team, then the finish line. The crowd cheered, my team tried to jump on me, happy we had won and John chortled as he and several other humans tried to pet me. I should have been happy. No, I should have been ready to burst. But instead, my heart felt like it was torn in half.

                                                            *          *          *

            I opened my eyes and woke up with a start. My heart fluttered. The last time I had woken up this way was three months ago. I got up excitedly, hoping that this wasn’t a dream again. I pushed open the barn door and saw my mate’s pure white form. I smiled from ear to ear and bounded to her and nuzzled her head.

“How did you find me?”

            She smiled at me and wagged her tail hard, not answering my question.

            “I have something to show you” she crooned.

I realized we weren’t alone. Something moved from under her. I peered under her to see two pairs of golden eyes. Aniu moved back and two pups, one black with a white chest and the other the same color as me with a dusty chest.

           “These are our pups, Balto and Buck” she stated proudly.

Tundra, Tally and Buck (c) me

Balto and Aniu (c) Universal