strong tree root that I managed to grab onto to hold us from slipping further. We then managed to pull the sled away from the cliff and continue on. The second challenge was outrunning an avalanche started from a loud sneeze from one of the sled dogs, Star. He sneezed so loud that the vibrations from the noise caused the snow on a steep slope to give way and cause a fast and deadly tsunami of snow to come right for us. We ran as fast as we could but the avalanche of snow was gaining speed on us and it was only a matter of seconds before it would carry us with it like a very fast-moving tsunami, and that would have been the end of us all. But I managed to spot an entrance to a cave inside the mountain, which was our only way out, and we just managed to scramble inside before the snow caught us. At the same time the massive amount of snow caved the entrance in, and the only way for us to get out was to find the other entrance to the cave. This led to the third and final challenge of getting through the ice cave unscathed. As we were walking through the cave we had to remain quiet or the icicles would give way and the entire cave would collapse. But the back half of the sled hit the ice hard after coming down a step and caused the entire cave to give way. Icicles broke from the ceiling and the sharp points hit the floor of the cave, but also came very close to stabbing us. We managed to avoid them by running as fast as we could towards the exit out of the cave. We just managed to avoid the last of the falling icicles and the cave collapsing on us near the exit before running out safe.

That was the last challenge that we faced before running another 100 or so miles safely towards the town of Nome without any more deadly challenges or distractions. I’ll tell you what though, wolf blood or no wolf blood, I am still amazed that we managed to escape from such incredible dangers despite what I was capable of. No matter how brave or lucky you are, the changes of escaping such dangers have to be about a hundred to one chance. Metaphorically speaking, we being the underdogs at a bet like that would have won people thousands to even millions of dollars (laughs). I don’t like to boast about the escape, but it still amazes me to this day that we were able cheat death and get through unscathed.

Of course everyone admired you after the job was finished and you were known as the town hero. How were you feeling at the time?

I finally felt like I had proven myself to everybody and what I was capable of. I had shown my loyalty, my heart, my courage, and my determination to everyone, and everyone else no longer picked on me for being different. They saw me as someone who would never turn his back on anybody, never give up, never think about himself, and who showed everyone what makes a true sled dog and leader. The children all looked up to me as their savior and kept saying how they would be able to see their teen and adult years to come because of me; especially Rosie; and I just felt completely flattered. Most of all, I had won over someone who meant the world to me and who was the main reason for me going on this journey: Jenna. Part of the reason why I went on the run was because of her and the suffering of her owner. At the start I thought that going on this journey was not only a chance to prove myself to everyone, but also a chance to get what I had always wanted: A loving family of my own. I love Jenna more than anything or anyone in the whole world. It was her love, affection and loyalty that have kept me going. I will always love her.

But I also love Rosie for believing in me when no one else did, and it was also because of her belief in me that kept me going. I was never going to let somebody as special and as noble as a beautiful little girl like her get taken away by something dangerous and deadly. She said to me, “Balto, I’d be lost without you”, and again it showed how much she loved and believed in me, and I really looked up to her as a member of my own family. She is one of the most special people in the world. God bless her forever.  

What happened to Steele after you returned?

From some of my sources, they described him as “positively disposable”. I immediately knew that Steele had been dumped because of what he had done: He had lied to everyone about how he was “trying to accept my help when there was not much I could do” and my supposed “death from falling over the edge of a cliff”. He tried to make it sound convincing that Steele had failed when he tried and he was sorry for the “death of everyone else”.

Everyone else believed him, but not Jenna because she always knew how disloyal, cocky, cruel, and hateful Steele really was, and she believed that I was still alive and I was coming home. Nikki, Kaltag and Star, who were apart of the team, then apparently went to Steele and did what I always wanted to do: Beat the living daylights out of him. They scratched and beat him to a bloody pulp then sent him out into the wilderness of Alaska, where he was exiled. I would have done all those things myself, but it didn’t matter to me anymore because I had already got the best of him and everyone else saw who the true villain really was. Plus I am too sensitive and loyal to fight someone; I have never liked it. So Nikki, Kaltag and Star did the job for me. Why?  Because they always looked up to Steele as a friend and a team partner; but over time they saw how full of himself he really was and how extremely obnoxious he had been to them. They were more concerned about sticking to their jobs and making good friends than hanging with Steele and even helping him to get rid of me. It now seems that the tables have turned. Anyway, they felt that Steele totally betrayed them and left them to die, and they had to get back at him for his treachery; and rightfully so.

Do you think it is possible that he will return?

Anything is possible in my point of view; and for this particular situation I have a feeling that he wants to get back at me so badly because of his pride within himself and what has happened to him because of me. He really has no one to blame but himself for what has happened to him, but I know that he will take it out on me. If he is planning to kill me then I am ready to take him on. Besides, the other dogs, and even people, have got my back. As long as they do, Steele cannot touch me. On second thought, he might try to plan the perfect time to get back at me; like when I am alone or the other dogs are not watching out for me any longer, and that is why I make sure that I do not go anywhere out of town alone. If that is his plan, I will have to be careful.

After Steele was beaten, it was apparent that you let him go with a second chance. Is that true?

Yes, it is. I have learned a lesson in life that there are good and bad people and animals in this world, and no matter whom they are, everyone deserves a second chance: The chance to think about what they have done in life and decide what they can do to make up for their mistakes and follow in the footsteps of good. I know that this might sound strange, but I kind of feel sorry for Steele in a way. I feel sorry for him to see who he has become; because I am quite sure that there is a reasonable explanation as to why he is so prideful and cocky, and why he doesn’t appreciate some for who they are. If only I could see what has made him who he is; and if only he could also see what has made him who he is. If I could find out, maybe I might be able to help him. It might be a bit of a risk, but if he wants a second chance in life, he will need help from someone. I might see him again one day, and if I do, I hope that we can settle our issues and make up.

After all the celebrations and congratulations, you were taken to New York City in eastern U.S.A, where your own bronze statue was unveiled in Central Park. How did it feel to be known as the most famous dog in the world?

I really felt lucky to be known like this. All I ever wanted to do was to find a way to be accepted and loved by everyone, but for it to come to me becoming a world icon; let alone having my own statue; is something that I would never have expected to become. It really just flatters me all the time and I feel a bit shy when others look up to me, but at the same time it makes me feel proud for fulfilling my family’s destiny as well as my own. I never wanted to brag about my fame, but it just feels great to be loved and well known by the entire world for who I am. I just want to tell everyone how much I appreciate their love and support for me. It is another thing that keeps me going and I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Did you continue being a sled dog after the events were over?

It’s kind of funny in a way, but most of the dogs retired when it was over; even Nikki, Kaltag, and Star; who were the main veterans of the team. They felt that they had had enough of the risks and danger of running out in the wilderness of Alaska. Well, the run back to Nome certainly proved a point: That sled running can be dangerous even if it is one of the most reliable ways of transport in a treacherous climate like Alaska. Plus they had been running in the sled team for three years now, and they felt that it was getting too much for them and it was their time to let it go and live their own lives with their families, or try to start a family. What happened with me was that they offered me a long-term contract to continue as being lead dog of the team; and I have to tell you it was very hard to decline; but I decided that I would not take it. I wasn’t retiring because