“Mom, I want to be a race dog. A lead a race dog, just like dad.” I smiled at mom. “Well Niki, to be a race dog, you have to work really hard, you have to be strong and fast.” said mom. “I’m strong, and I’m fast right mom?” I asked. I always felt proud of myself. “Yes honey, you are strong and fast.” mom smiled. “Hey dad! I’m gonna be a race dog!” I said running toward him. He gave a weak smile. “Alright then, training starts this afternoon.” he said. My tail wagged and I ran toward Amanda, my best friend. “Hi Niki.” she said. “I’m gonna be a race dog.” I said proudly. I held my head up high and smiled. “Really!” she said smiling. “Come on Niki, Isabelle just had puppies yesterday! Let’s go see them.” Amanda and Niki ran into the town. Isabelle was Steele’s beautiful mate. She was really nice and I and Amanda liked her. “Isabelle, are in there?” Amanda said. They were right outside the boiler room of were Isabelle was in. “Yes I’m here, you can come in.” said Isabelle’s cool voice. Amanda stepped in, then I. Isabelle sat in the middle and her pups circled around her eating. There were about five pups. “Their names are Jania, Hurricane, Siloo, Butch, and Bear.” she said calmly, smiling. Amanda and I looked at each one. Admiring them. “Niki! Amanda!” yelled Jenna. “Bye Isabelle.” we both said and ran out the door. “Amanda, I’m sorry but you have to go home, and Niki, you are going to be adopted soon so go to your father.” she said. “O.K. mom.” I ran to dad as fast as I could. He was on a side walk next to a big box. “Hello there Niki.” dad said. He picked me up with his mouth and put me in to the box with my brothers and sisters. Mom came and so did people. One by one got picked up by a human. Then it was my turn. It was woman. With a warm smile and a heavy coat she picked me up. “You’re the perfect one.” She smiled at me. I looked at her confused. She started to walk and I waved to mom and dad and siblings. “Bye! I hope you visit me!” I yelled. When we arrived home, a little girl came running to her mom. “Slow down honey, I brought you something.” Said the mom. She put me down, and I looked around. Then I sat down and looked at the little girl. She looked sick, but happy to have a pet. She pets me lightly. “What should we name her mama?” the little girl asked. “What do you want to name her Claire?” she replied. Claire picked me up and walked with her mom into the kitchen. “Hmm, Lucy, Carmen? No.” The little girl wondered. “How about Penny?” she asked her mother. “Penny is a nice name.” her mother said while making soup. I had no idea what was going on and got bored. I jumped off Claire’s lap and started running. I didn’t very fast though. Smack! I fell on my face and rolled over. I tripped over the mom’s shoe. Claire picked me up and brought up stairs. She went into a room and placed me on a soft pillow on the bed. And then closed the door. I fell asleep quickly.

            The next morning I ran like crazy. I wanted to be out of the house badly. The house was small so try feeling cooped up in it all day when the weather isn’t horrible. “We should try her out for a dog sled team. She looks like a fast little pup.” The mom smiled. I stopped and my tail wagged like crazy. “When is it mother?” Claire asked quickly. The mom got up and walked to a desk. “It’s in three days and she is old enough. She needs to be stronger though.” the mom said. Then she smiled. “And it could pay for your medication.” The mom grabbed some thick string and made a harness out of it. She put it on me then connected it a five pound weight. She grabbed a treat and placed it a long distance away. My mouth watered. Then I walked toward it. It was hard walking with a five pound behind you. I finally reached it and ate it. She spun me around and placed another treat a longer distance away. When I walked it was a little easier pulling it. We repeated the same thing over and over again. The five pound weight was too easy for me. I switched to a ten pound one, which made things harder. Then it became easy to pull it again. That day was ended quickly and boy was I tired. This was repeated with heavier weights and lots of running for the next two days. Then it came. The mom picked me up and took me outside. “Wow, your getting heavier.” When she said I hoped she meant muscle wise. Not by fat. We went to the starting point. I was put onto the ground and looked at the other pups. They were all slightly smaller then her. She wondered. If she won she would be put into training and put on a team. But she would to have to win, because all they needed was one dog. The top team was short a dog and this was her chance. Her chance to reach her dream. “All dogs take your mark…” BANG! The gun shot was sounded. She sprinted right when she heard the sound. She focused on the on what was ahead of her. Out the corner of her eye an orange and mango dog caught up to her. He was panting heavily, unlike me. I pushed harder. I turned and there was the finish. I ran as fast as I could. Claire’s mom cheered loudly for me and I wanted to make her proud. “Time!” yelled the musher. He looked surprised to see the time. “Niki you did it!” yelled Jenna, Balto and Amanda. They surrounded her, congratulating her. “Penny you did it! Now Claire can be saved!” the mother picked me up and hurried me home. “Claire! Penny did it!” yelled the mother. “Yaaa!” Claire came running down the hall. “She is much like her daddy, but looks like her mom.” the little girl smiled and Niki. I smiled back at her. “She is going to be one big and strong dog.” she put me down. “Only if your father was here to see this.” the mother mumbled. “But daddy’s gone.” whispered the girl. “He is still in your heart and always will be.” smiled the mother. I tried imagining my life without my dad. It was hard. I stood up strong and stood next to Claire. I wasn’t going to leave her. But I one thing I had to get used to. Getting called two different names at the same time.