Evening approached with a sunset of amber and gold. Casting light over the two seated figures on the cliff edge. The sea below crashed against the cliff giving a constant roar of splashing and thrashing. Excluding this, the pair were surrounded by silence. Two dogs, a female and a male, one slightly larger than the other. Given their location they should be sitting amongst snow but since summer had arrived the snow had melted leaving them both encircled by lush green grass.

   The female looked up and her partner, head tilted to one side. She was a dog of beauty: a red and white Siberian husky with fur soft as velvet and a build of petite perfection. Her partner did not give beauty but his appearance bared his character. Not a purebred but a husky, part wolf with a history untold. He wore a ragged coat of brown and grey with deep amber eyes that gazed with such warmth. Balto and Jenna. Never a happier couple. Until the day that Kavick entered the town.

   Kavick was not an Alaskan dog. He was from lands far from Alaska. He brought stories, enchantments and above all a surreal atmosphere to the town. He was a Chinese breed, accustomed to all Chinese beliefs from horoscopes to fortune telling. Fortune telling was his pride. He lived to bewitch others with wicked and wonderful fortunes. Each any every rustic-papered fortune was born within a cookie… but the fortune was never as sweet as it’s hard outer-casing.

   It was a snowy Friday in October and Balto and Jenna had crossed paths with their championship enemy once again. Steele had greeted Balto with insults and mocking, followed by his team of slaving huskies.

   “Well, well, still suffering life with the wolf dog, Jenna? I’d have thought that a girl like you would prefer to be with the class acts. Like myself.” Steele snapped, circling the female husky. She turned her nose up at him at once and sauntered towards Balto.

   “Leave her alone, Steele!” Balto growled. Steele frowned.

   “What are you going to do about it, eh, Balto?” he snarled. Balto raised a paw and growled warningly again. Steele snorted.

   “Come on, Jenna, you’re barking up the wrong tree. You’re a purebred Siberian husky. Just think how much credit your owners would give you for producing a litter of purebred Siberian husky puppies with a stud... kind of like me.” Steele smirked. Jenna frowned awkwardly. Balto swallowed nervously.

   “I… come on, Jenna. We don’t need this.” He told her.

   “Don’t tell me that your owners weren’t angry when you had to give those runts away free of charge.” Steele chuckled. Jenna bowed her head and shuffled closer to Balto. The wolf dog stormed forwards, teeth bared.

   “I said leave her alone, Steele!” he snapped. Steele snarled in response.

   “Like I said, what are you going to do about it?” he growled. At that moment, a small brown dog with pointed ears and a curled tail trotted between the fighting dogs.

   “You need wisdom.” He told them, placing two cookies at their paws. Balto and Steele looked at the cookies and then exchanged uncertain glances. Jenna stepped forwards.

   “Balto…” she began but Steele interrupted.

   “I’m having the biggest!” he teased, snatching up the larger cookie. Balto barked and crunched at the remaining cookie. A rough piece of paper flew out of each cookie. As it unfolded itself Balto began to read. Jenna stood over him, reading aloud:

   “A journey soon begins, its prize reflected in another's eyes. When what you see is what you lack, then selfless love will change you back.”

   “What the heck is that supposed to mean?” Steele spat, stamping the paper into the snow. Jenna gazed at Balto with a worried look.

   “It’s alright, Jenna. It’s just a stupid fortune. You know that Kavick’s Chinese stuff is a load of rubbish anyway.” Balto chuckled, licking Jenna affectionately.

That night, Jenna and Balto lay together, noses and tails touching. Silence fell between them as they slept with content. Jenna dreamt of her children and of the day’s events. Balto did not dream. Neither did Balto feel the sudden change of scenery as his body changed colour and breed.

   “Steele! Get up! We’re gonna be late!” Star screeched. Balto lifted his head so suddenly that he hit it on the roof above his head. He peered up, wincing at the pain. This wasn’t Jenna’s house. He stumbled out of the small hole at the front of the dark enclosure. Since when did he sleep in a kennel? Balto coughed and looked around quietly. The cough was hoarse, very different to his usual cough.

   “There you are! We’re really late, you know we’ve got a race at 10am!” Star yelped, prancing around him. Two dogs that Balto recognized as Nikki and Kaltag emerged from their kennels. Balto stood with his legs apart, thoroughly confused.

   “Um… Star?” Balto asked, his voice very deep and coarse, “Eh hem… what’s going on?” The scrawny husky stopped and raised an eyebrow.

   “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten Nome’s annual dog sled race? It’s one of the biggest events of the year and we’re going to be late!” he yelled. Balto shook his head.

   “But… why are you here? Why aren’t you with Steele?” he questioned. Star froze and swallowed.

   “Oh god… you’ve lost it Steele! You’ve gone crazy! I told Nikki not to give you all that sugar yesterday but now…” he went on whining. Balto realized that he’d said something wrong and stood over the whimpering dog.

   “Alright, ok, I’m sorry. Yeah… I’m just not feeling myself this morning.” He explained. Star nodded and leapt up again. Balto shook his head again and padded towards a puddle on the ground. He peered into the waters and gasped.

   “Ha! Yeah, that’s what I see every time I see you, Steele!” Nikki jeered. Balto placed his paw in the water and looked left and right in search of Steele. Then it occurred to him. He was Steele.

Steele yawned sleepily and licked his muzzle. He peered around the room in confusion. This was not his kennel. He then gazed at the female that was cuddled up close to him, muzzle buried in his… brown fur? Steele smirked and licked Jenna affectionately. Maybe that bit of fur was just muddy. Either way, somehow he’d won Jenna’s heart last night.

   “Morning… baby.” He smiled, hoping that he’d get away with this greeting. Jenna opened one eye and lifted her head. She frowned but then smothered her mate in licks and wet nose kisses.

   “You’ve never called me that before.” She muttered, “But I like it.”

   Steele smirked and returned her affection. He wondered how much else he could get away with. He got up and licked her again before sniffing the room.

   “So… this is your house, eh? I like it.” He sighed. He then paused. His voice sounded softer and lighter than usual. He didn’t let this bother him though. Jenna frowned again.

   “Well… you’ve only been coming here for three years now.” She told him. Steele frowned as well but went along with it. He couldn’t be bothered to protest.

   “Tell me, Jenna… how much do you love me?” he teased. Jenna did not take it as a tease though; she covered him in licks and replied,

   “To the moon and back again, Balto!” she cried. Steele’s eyes widened and he backed away. He took a deep gaze in the mirror on the wall and let out a deep snarl. He then looked innocently at Jenna. Maybe he could make this work to his advantage.

   “Same, Jenna. Only a million times more.” He replied. Steele padded out of the house and into the snow. It then hit him… today was the big race. He gazed around anxiously for his team.

   “Are you going to get yourself into this race, Balto?” Jenna asked him,

   “You bet…” he snarled angrily in reply. Jenna’s heart sank at his tone. Steele finally caught sight of Nikki, Kaltag and Star following him… well, Steele around. Steele growled with anger and stormed towards the team only to be chased away by a hundred mushers.

Meanwhile, Balto walked around the thousands of people that were all filled with excitement about the race. Nikki, Kaltag and Star wouldn’t let him out their sight so any chance of finding Jenna was down to zero. He wandered towards Steele’s musher and whined weakly. The musher seized him around the collar and threw him into the lead dog’s position.

   “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Steele but you better prove yourself today or it’ll be the life of a stray for you!” he warned. Balto swallowed and faced the trail ahead of him. He glanced to the sidelines where Jenna and he… Balto stood together. Balto frowned and tried to step out of the harness only to receive a whip across the ear.

   “Get in line, Steele!” the musher demanded. Balto stopped and waited patiently for the race to begin.

   The race went perfectly. Balto kept the team in the lead all the way. The opposing teams fell back at the start. Balto became very proud of himself. He’d only been whipped twice, which brought more pride. However, Balto found his body tiring within the last mile of the race. Steele’s muscles were beginning to weaken as the team began to drop back. The team in second place began to gain on them.

   “Steele! Do something!” Kaltag called. The lead dog of the opposing team came in line with Star.

   “Steele!” Star cried. Balto attempted to leap forward but his muscles ached too much.

   “Steele! Bite him!” Nikki groaned. Balto glanced back.

   “I can’t! That’s cheating!” he protested.

   “Since when do you care?” Kaltag snapped. Balto refused and the team fell back further. The opposing lead dog bounded ahead. Balto dropped back behind two more teams.

   “STEELE!” chorused the entire team.

   At last the team crossed the finish line in the last position. Balto heaved a sigh and stood, shocked and panting behind the other ten teams. He peered at Nikki, Kaltag and Star who all glared evilly back.

After the race, Balto and Steele met. Steele threw himself at Balto, raging and snarling.

    “How dare you loose that race!” he snapped, pinning Balto to the ground.

    “It’s not my fault that your body got so tired!” Balto cried.

    “You should have cheated you lobo!” Steele raged, “Why are we even like this? I want my body back. Being able to do whatever you want with Jenna is nice but you suck at being me!” Steele snarled.

   “And you don’t at being me? Jenna likes tender love. You’re ruining our relationship!” Balto growled. As if on queue, Jenna stormed towards them.

   “Balto! What are you doing? Get off Steele!” she growled, nudging Steele nervously. Balto stared at his mate from within Steele’s body.

   “Hey, baby, don’t worry I was just taking care of this filth!” Steele snapped, licking Jenna delicately. Balto growled.

   “No, Jenna… he just came out of nowhere I swear. Since when does he call you baby?” Balto protested. Jenna stared at him with a look of curiosity.

   “Since now! Shut up, lobo!” Steele snapped.

   “But that’s not right…” Balto began.

   “I said shut the heck up, alright?”

   “Fine…” Balto sighed. Jenna frowned at Steele (Balto).

   “Um… ok… well, see you Steele.” She muttered.

   “Good-bye…” Balto called after her, “… Jenna.”

That night Jenna sat on the beach alone. She watched as the waves lapped at the shore and thought back to her pleasant memories with Balto. He’d changed so much over a day. At that moment, Balto in Steele’s body padded up behind her.

   “Hey, Jenna…” Balto whispered. Jenna looked round at the dog.

   “Oh… Steele. I thought you were… someone else.” She replied. Balto sat beside her and nuzzled her affectionately. Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew him. He forgot who he was.

   “I love sitting on the beach. It looks so beautiful at night.” He told her. Jenna smiled.

   “Yeah, it does. I used to bring the puppies down here all the time… with Balto.”

   “I remember that…” Balto smirked, “Well… I mean, I remember watching you with Balto and the puppies…” he added.

   “Yeah…” Jenna muttered dreamily.

   “You look lovely tonight.” Balto muttered, turning away.

   “Really? Thank you…” she shuffled closer to him and placed her tail against his. Balto smiled and placed his paw on hers.

   “You’ve changed, Steele. I like that.” She muttered, “But I couldn’t betray Balto…”

   Balto’s eyes widened. He leapt away from Jenna. He wasn’t Balto at the moment… he was Steele.

    “I have to go, Jenna.” He cried. Jenna looked at him desperately as if pining for him to give her a romantic farewell. Balto swallowed, pining back at her. He couldn’t. Not in Steele’s body.

    “Good-bye…” he muttered before rushing away hurriedly.

Balto stormed towards Steele who was with Nikki, Kaltag and Star telling them how his wolfish cravings had developed throughout the day. They cackled evilly, obviously plotting something against him.

   “Balto!” Balto called, feeling strange. Steele looked up.

   “Coming.” He replied. The pair padded down a dark alleyway.

   “What do you want?” Steele snarled.

   “We have to change back… I miss Jenna too much!” Balto pleaded.

   “How do you propose we do that then?” Steele snapped. Balto thought a moment and then gasped.

   “The fortune! What else?” he exclaimed. Steele wagged his tail.

   “You’re right! Where is it?” he called.

   “Umm… it’s at Jenna’s.” Balto replied quietly. “You’ll have to get it…”

   “No! She won’t talk to me ever since I attacked that Scottie down the road…” Steele growled.

   “Fine! I’ll get it.” Balto snapped in fury. He leapt away from Steele and ran down the street.

    “Hey Balto… come over here, we have a surprise for ya!” Nikki barked from the opposing alleyway. Steele smirked and trotted boldly down the alley.

    “What do you guys…” at that point he was piled upon by about fifty snarling huskies. He was flattened beneath them and his entire body fell as though it had been torn open by their teeth. He yelped and whimpered but all that could be heard was barking and snarling.

Balto scratched at Jenna’s door. She greeted him with delight,

   “Steele! What are you… um… what are you doing here? Come in!” she smiled, stepping out of his way. Balto leapt past her and searched frantically for the fortune. He over-turned pillows and sniffed under cabinets.

   “Have you seen a fortune thingy anywhere?” he asked her. However, when Balto looked at Jenna she was stood gazing at him in a perplexing manner.

   “Jenna?” Balto repeated.

   “Steele… I’m sorry I was so horrid to you… can you ever forgive me?” she caressed. Balto felt a warm rush of panic float through him. She’d fallen in love with him… as Steele!

   “Er… the fortune!” he cried leaping past her and seizing the piece of paper. Balto hurried out of the house and looked for Steele. Jenna stood in the doorway of her house, panting.

   “Steele! Come back…” she whimpered. Balto hurried down the street.

  “Where is that idiot…?” Balto growled. He glanced down each alleyway until he reached one that was covered in blood. He gasped and darted down it. In the centre, surrounded by a pool of blood was his own bedraggled body.

   “Steele?” he whispered. Steele didn’t answer. The body seemed so lifeless. He placed his paw on the dog’s heart. There was a pulse. Balto dropped the fortune and read it aloud again:

“A journey soon begins, its prize reflected in another's eyes. When what you see is what you lack, then selfless love will change you back”

He shook his head, puzzled.

   “What does that mean?” he growled.

   “Balto?” Steele groaned. Balto wagged his tail happily.

   “Steele! You’re ok!” Balto barked. Steele shook his head, eyelids drooping more than ever. Suddenly, Jenna appeared at the end of the alleyway.

   “Steele!” she howled. Balto chuckled warily and groaned.

   “Steele… we have to work this out…” Balto hissed. Steele’s eyes began to close.

   “I’m sorry Balto…” he croaked.

   “Don’t worry Steele… don’t go to sleep…”

   “Balto…” Steele gasped.

   “Steele please, you’re going to be alright… Steele…” Balto found that tears were falling over the dog’s dying body. He whimpered, nuzzling Steele desperately.

   “Balto… I’m so, so sorry…” Steele gave a final sigh before closing his eyes. Balto gasped and lay down beside his body, cuddling close.

   “I’m sorry too Steele… I’m sorry for everything…”

A blinding white light fell between them causing Jenna to gasp and run away. Balto looked up and sniffed lightly. The light got brighter and brighter until Balto could look no more and then… darkness.

“Steele? Are you ok?” Star muttered. Steele opened one eye and looked at Star.

    “Did you just call me Steele?” he asked. Star blinked.

    “Oh dear… it was all that sugar… I know it!” Star exclaimed. Steele got up and threw himself at Star. Star was pinned on his back. Steele licked him with excitement before leaping out into the street.

   “Balto! Balto!” he called. He looked around anxiously for the wolf dog. He looked through Jenna’s window. She sat on the rug fast asleep. There was no sign of Balto. Steele hurried to the alleyway where he’d been pounced on the night before.

   “Balto?” he called. He ran up and down every alley in search of the dog. He barked and called but there was no response. As Steele reached the end of the town, he sighed and sat down. He’d been too late. Balto was gone. He felt full to the brim with guilt and anger at himself. He’d been greedy and evil and now he’d changed… it was all just too late.

   “Steele?” came a familiar voice. Suddenly, a rustic piece of people fell before Steele. He read it as it twirled through the air:

   “A journey soon begins, its prize reflected in another's eyes. When what you see is what you lack, then selfless love will change you back”

   “Selfless love changed us back, Steele.” Balto called. Steele looked around, his tail shot in the air and wagged madly. The two bounded towards one another and gave affectionate greetings. Jenna stepped out curiously into the snow.

   “Did I miss something?” she asked as she stood beside Balto, nuzzling him tenderly.

   “Nah…it was just too much sugar, right, Balto?” Steele chuckled. Balto smiled and nuzzled Jenna in reply.