Jenna's Balto

By Twerd

  1:Birthday Gifts

I awoke with a loud "Thud"sound.I opened my eyes with some difficulty and saw my master choping wood outside my kennal.I streched and yawned as i got up,I had to be carfull not to hit my head of the low roofed kennal.I put one paw outside onto the cold wet snow and shivered.I imeditaly pulled my paw back inside.I'd have to go outside sometime so i slowly walked outside of my kennal.My master looked up from the wood he was chopping and smiled.He walked over to me and whispered in my ear:

"Today's Rosie's birthday.We got her something special,we'll be leaving shortly when she wakes."He went back to chopping the wood.Of course!How could I've forgot?It's Rosie's birthday.I wounder what her parents got for her.Would they not have brought her present to the house instead of us having to go get it?It must be something big.I scratched and the back door and Rosie's mother opened the door to let me in.I queitly ran up the stairs and into Rosie's bedroom.Rosie's door was always open,she wasnt aloud a candle in her room and the only light was from the candle in the landen,she was afraid of the dark.I walked over to her bed and stood on my two back legs with my two front legs on her bed.She stired in her sleep and she slowly opened her eyes.She blinked 3 times and then smiled when she saw me.She jumped out of her bed and hugged me.

"Oh Jenna!Todays going to be the best day!It's my birthday and the dog race is on!"I barked in excitment.Rosie's mother must of heared Rosie's excitment because I heard her run up the stairs.She entered Rosie's room and hugged her.

"Happy birthday hunny.Go get dressed,we have to go get your present!"I left the room with Rosie's mother and waited downstairs for Rosaie to get dressed.

Rosie was soon dressed and we all left the house.I wasnt sure where we were going but I followed my master all the way.We stoped outside the carpenter's house.Rosie's mother put her hands over Rosie's eyes as my master led us into the house.The house was more like a workshop from the inside with wooden toys all over the place.A man with a brown beard came out with a wooden sleigh in his hands and he placed it on front of Rosie.Her mother removed her hands from Rosie's eyes.Rosie laughfed with excitment as she saw the sleigh.

"Oh thank you!"she screamed."It's perfect!"She put the reigns around me"Come on Jenna mush!"Her mother had a musher's hat in her hand and placed it on Rosie's head.

"You'll need a reall mushers hat"

And with that I ran out the door.The sleigh wasn't hard to pull and so I could run fast enoughf to catch up with my to best friends,Dixie and Sylve.They were watching the race.Dixie came up beside me trying to show of her new colar,but I didnt take any notice.

"Going to be a close race,eh Jenna?"Dixie said still trying to get me to notice her colar."Mybe even neck and neck"And she pushed her neck towards me.Sylve saw what she was trying to do.

"Say something about her new colar before she gets whiplash"said Sylve who was annoyed with Dixie.I thought I better say something or else Dixie might go on like this all day.

"What a lovely colar Dixie.Is it new?"I said pretending to sound intrested.She blushed and then said:

"Oh this old thing?"Dixie said pretending that she even forgot she was wearing it."Oh ye.Do you think Steel will notice it?"So this is what all this was about,Steel!?The biggiest show off ever.Now that I think of it Steel and Dixie would go perfect together.Well I had the tell her the thruth to her question:

"Im afraid the only way steel will notice you is if you were wearing a mirror".We walked over to the side of the race path to watch the race.Suddenly I saw the flare in the sky.It was the 3 mile marker,the race would be finished soon.The wind blew hard and Rosie's musher hat flew of her head and landed right in the middle of the race path.We both gasped.I could her the beating of paws.The sleigh dogs would be hear soon!Rosie's hat would be squished.There was no way I would be able to run out to get the hat and back without being trampled by paws.I could see the sleigh dogs now.Soon they would be here.A flash of brown jumped from the crowed and ran past the sleigh dogs.Who was it?The brown dog was at the front of the sleigh dogs.He was right beside Steel!Steel said something to him but I couldnt make it out and then the brown dog jumped just as Steel went to bite him.The brown dog grabbed Rosie's hat and ran back to the sidelines before he got ran over by the sled team.Everyone cheered as the sled team passed the finish line.The madia ran over to Steel and began taking pictures of him.Im sure he enjoyed that,the show off.TRhe flash of the camra was blinding me.I turned away from the flash to see Balto standing on frount of me with the hat daggenling from his mouth.Rosie ran over to him and took the hat from his mouth.He slightly opened his mouth so that Rosie wouldn't see his razor sharp teeth and run away.

"Oh!Thank you Balto!"she said happily and hugged his neck."And all to show off to a pretty girl"and she looked at me.I blushed.Balto smiled the biggist smile I ever saw.This time he didn't hide his sharp teeth and I could see his eyes sparkle.I couldn't look away it was like I was under a spell.Suddenly a lump of snow hit Balto's nose and he shook it off.

"Stay away from him Rosie he might bite he's half wolf!"it was my master.It was him who kicked the snow at Balto.I dont know why but I was angry at my master.I was never angry at him.I looked back at Balto but he wasn't there anymore.My master pulled Rosie away to bring her home.I went to follow thwm but suddenly I felt something fury and wet at my side.I jumped away from it and turned to see what it was.It was Steel!Uggh he wasn't wet,he was sweaty.He had only got his hair cut 2 weeks ago to stop him from sweating at the race,it didn't work.

"Enjoy the race Jenna?"he asked.No I didn't.I wasn't even watching.

"Yeah almost as much as you did"I replied.

"Maybe you'd like to come to my hous and share some dog food"Ughh no I did not!Dog food how romantic!In case you cant tell Im being sartcastic.

"Sorry Steel I have to go"I think he got the hint.He rolled his shoulders and I could hear them crack.I began to walk away.

"Maybe your taste runs more towards wolf"I stopped in my tracks,turned around and glared at him.I was about to give him a good talking to but then I heard Rosie call:

"C'mon Jenna we gotta go!"

"Sorry Steel my girls calling"and I walked away.

I soon caught up with my masters.I walked slowly falling behind,there was alot on my mind.One thing was how did Steel know I was talking to Balto?He must of been watching me when Balto gave Rosie her hat.Uggh he's a creep!And then he said:"Maybe you'r taste is more towards wolf" He must of been watching me!I'll try to forget about Steel for now.The other thing on my mind was Balto.Balto,Balto,Balto.I can't get him out of my head,why?

I stopped daydreaming when I heard a load noise.I was passing a narrow long lane.I heard the sound of something hitting a trash can.I looked down the liong lane and suddenly Balto was in my face.I had to be daydreaming.I was thinking about him to much.But then I felt the wet warm mosture on my nose.I looked down.Balto's brown nose was beside touching my black nose.

"Oh"i said in shock.I heard my master calling:

"C'mon Jenna,hurry up!"I looked ahead to where the voice was coming from,my masters weren't far ahead.I looked back to Balto...but he was gone.I looked around but he was nowhere to be seen.My master whistled,I barked in response and caught up with my master,Rosie and her mother.

     2:Sick

I had to keep myself occupied so I could forget about Balto.I decided to go down to the lake.I walked thinking about things that made me happy.I finally got to the lake and lied down.It was now dark outside and the moon was beautiful.The light of the moon shone across the waveless lake.I soon fell asleep.

When I awoke I was alarmed.Oh no my master must be woundering where I was.I walked along the lane and noticed Rosie's sleigh outside the Docter's office.I climbed up the pile of logs placed below the frount window of the Docter's office and peeped through the window.I could see Rosie lying in a hostiple cot.Her face was pale white and her hair was stuck to her head.The Docter walked over to Rosie's cot and gentaly placed another blanket on top of her.

"It's so cold"she wimpered.

"I know,just get some rest"the Docter said.Why wasnt he helping her?Why was Rosie in there?Suddenly I heard a voice behind me:

"Hey Jenna!"said the soft velvet voice.This voice could only belong to Balto the one dog...well wolf-dog I was trying to forget about.I couldnt help myself but reply.

"Oh hi Balto"I still hadnt looked at him,I was still looking at Rosie.

"This just shot from the dark but I was woundering if you'd like to go chase a few sticks by midnight?"Of couse I did it was Balto but Rosie was sick and I couldnt leave her.

"Is something wrong?"Balto asked as he stood beside me and looked in the window.I could feel the heat of his body.I looked at him for the first time since we started talking.He looked like he spent a long time trying to fix his hair.Instead of his normal spiked up hair,his hair was wetted down.

"Rosie's in the hostible,I dont know whats wrong with her"

"i dont know whats wrong with her either but I know a way to find out"He walked to the back of the Docter's and stopped at a door.He un-hindged the door with his claws."I've got the keys to the city"he joked.He held his paw out to allow me inside."Lady's first"I looked at his huge paw

"Oh!"I said shocked

"Big paws kinda runs in my family.Well...half of my family"We walked inside.I could feel the ground below us getting deeper.We were soon under the ground and under Rosie's room.All around us were the rafters holding up the floor and cobwebs."Dogs all over the world travel for miles just to be here"I stopped as I got to a cobweb.

"I cant imagne why"He turned around to face me.His hot breath blowing in my face.He brushed the cobweb out of my way.

"Are you kidding?It's one of the most beautiful spots in the world"What was he going on about?How could this place be beautifule?We were now in a large enoughf spot to walk beside each other.In the middle of the spot was a pile of colored broken glass bottles.Balto walked up to the bottles and nudged them."The Polar Ice Caps"Was he crazy?How could they be The Polor Ice Caps?He pointed his chin to the light coming from a vent above us."The sun"

"Balto?"I said thinking he was mad.He tilted one of the bits of broken glass to the left and he said:

"And to the North"Suddenly the wall across from use was lit up with beautiful colors.It looked just like The Northern Lights.

"Balto,It's beautiful"

"Yeah...beautiful"He looked me in the eyes and I looked at him back.I could feel him getting closer and so was I.We lent our faces closer together.Suddenly we heared voices and we pulled away from each other.The voices were coming from above.We looked up and could see the Docter's foot over the vent.

"How is she docter?"asked my master.

"Not very well.She's suffering and I'm out of anti-toxen"replied the Docter.Rosie was going to die.The Docter had no medicine left.I felt hot tears run down my cheeks.I ran out from under the floor and I was now standing in the room me and Balto had enterd at first.Balto had followed me up.

"Im sorry Jenna,I shouldnt of taken you down there"

"No,Im glad you did"We heard a noise outside and suddenly the door slamed open.Steele lay on the floor with a row of sausages in his mouth.He stood up trying to get his dignity back.

"Hey Jenna"he said as he came over to stand beside and he pushed Balto out of the way."Why dont we share"he said nudging the sausages to me"I'll start at one end,you start at the other,and when we get to the middle..."he sniggerd.Balto nudged him.

"Leave her alone Steel"I saw the blazinf firnace behind Steele and had an idea.

"No,Balto it's ok."I moved closet to Steel.Balto got confused.I moved my eyes to look at the firnace and he understood.Balto sniggered."Wow Steel thats a very tempting offer"I kept moving closer to Steel and he began to move backwards getting closer to the fire in the firnace."But these days I prefer my meat cooked"Steel was right next to the firnace.His tail cot fire and he yelped.

"C'mon Jenna!"yelled Balto as we headed for the door.We were running out the door and suddenly I felt something heavy on top of me,I slammed to the ground.I looked around Steel was ontop of me and Balto.Balto pushed Steel of us and we went to run.We heard people behind us.Steel threw the sausages in his mouth at Balto and Balto was tangled in them,he couldn't move.A light shone on Balto.My master and the local butcher stood over him holding a lamp.

"Looks like Balto here got his way into your meat locker"said my master to the butcher."Good thing Steel was here to catch him"

"Might aswell give 'em to him seeing as I cant do anything with 'em because that mongrall touched 'em"and the butcher picked up the sausages and handed them to Steel.Steel took the sausages in his mouth and started chewing happily."Good boy Steel"and the butcher patted Steel's head.

"Get out!"yelled my master as he kicked some snow at Balto.Balto got up and ran away.I went to go after Balto but something was holding me back.My master was holding me by my red bandana."Lets get you home"As I walked passed Steel I gave him a steern look.He laughed.

  3:The fastest Dog Wins

I woke up early the next morning to the sound of pawprints in snow.I looked up and Sylve was standing over me,Dixie beside her.Of course when I opened my eyes Dixie starts talking:

"Oh,Jenna,hurry,get up!"

"Why whats going on?"I asked confussed.

"Did you not here last night?Theres gonna be a race held to find the fastest dogs to be on the sleigh team to get the medicine!"What was she on about?

"No Dixie Im afraid I didnt"

"The kids in the Docter's need medicine and all the planes and trains are jammed.The dog sleghed team is the last hope"Oh!Rosie!Yes there going to get medicine to help her.Im sure Dixie's not intressded in the kids at all.She only whant Steel to win"And I think we all know Steel's gonna win"and she drewled.

"What are we waiting for?"asked Sylve.

"Come on lets go!"yelled Dixie.I got up and followed them to the starting line for the race.The start of the race was the same place where the end of the race that was on a couple of days ago.The dogs were to start here and to finish here.People and dogs crowded around,I also noticed Balto's goose friend.Balto!Where was he.I looked at the row of dogs at the starting line but no Balto.Steel was walking up and down the line inspecting the dogs.One of the dogs Star was getting tangled in his own legs.

"Looking for Balto?"asked Dixie.Of course Sylve butted in:

 "I heard Jenna and Balto were cought in The Boiler Room together."

"No!"gasped Dixie

"Yes.And apperently they went in together and they came out together.And dont try to deniy it"she looked at me.

"Then I wont"I replied.She gasped:

 "Im speachless".I suddenly heard commotion around me.I looked at the starting line and there was a new dog there-Balto.

"Balto!"I gasped.Suddenly the gun was fired and the dogs were off.Snow flung out behind the dogs as they ran.They ran past the cornor and I couldnt see anymore.

"When Steel catches him he's gonna give him such a beating!"said Dixie.

"Oh please"I said"Steel couldnt catch a cold in the coldest place in the world-Nome"and I laughed.Dixie and Sylve just looked at me in suprise.I never made jokes,I always took live way to seriously.But now with Balto....life seemed different.Steel heard that Balto was in the race and he came straight over to us.

 "I suppose you had something to do with this?"he said at me

"I dont even know about it!"His face sneered.

"Hey Steel?"said Dixie"Guess what Jenna said about you?"she wouldnt"She said you couldnt get a cold in Nome"she did!Anything to get Steel's attention I guess,after all the joke was about him.He smilled:

"Jenna,if you were a cold I catch one every day"he laughed and went away.Dixie was mad.She was supposed to get the attention not me.Ha that will show her.

I could her the dogs coming now.There heavy phants filling the town.They were coming closer to the finish line and Balto was ahead!

"Go Balto!"I screamed.Balto finished first-no screams from any one.Steel walked over to Balto:

"What do you think your doing?"

"Look Steel I won fare and square.The fasted dog won"

"The fastest what?"and he laughed.Balto's eyes dropped.I walked over to them.

"Steel it dosnt matter what Balto is.All that matters is that the medicine gets through.Stop being such a glory hound!"as much as Steel hated it,he had to admitt I was right.

"Your right Jenna,I wasnt thinking about those kids.The important thing is that the medicine gets through,Your right."I walked away,as I did Balto smilled at me and I automatically smilled back.

As I was walking home I heard two local dogs speaking to each other,they had came the way I'd came.

"Did you see what Steel did to Blato back there?"said the black dog with white face to the ginger one.

"No Homer what happend?"asked the ginger dog curiously.

"Did you not even here it then,Burt?As soon as the humans came to look at Balto,Steel stood on his foot.Balto yelped and the humans were thought he was trying to bite them.They dont trust him to run on the team."Burt looked shocked and then relived.

"Good thing though.Imagne having that wolf-dog on a dog team."How could they be saying this?How could Steel do that to Balto?Poor Balto,he was the fastest he should be on the team.I was about to go back towards Balto's home but I was called by my master.

4:On Your Marks Get Set GO!

The dog team was leaving soon.The pathway out of Nome was lined with with banners and ropes to keep the dogs on the right path.The dogs were to run from Nome to Nanana.Who knows how long that will take them?I sat on the side lines with Dixie and Sylve.Dixie was drewling over Steel again.

"I  just know the team will come back with the medicine.Jenna dont be worrying,they have Steel"said Dixie.Hmm...They have Steel.He's gonna stop at every lake so he can look at himself.The dogs were getting set up now.Steel was at the frount of the line of dogs getting his reigns on.Balto should be there.Balto!I looked around but he was no where to be seen.

A man shot a gun and the dogs were off.They down the bathway with people screaming after them.Rosie would of liked this.I hope they get the medicine,I crossed my paws.

That night I went to look in the Docter's window.Rosie was asleep in her bed.Her face was red and I could almost feel the warmth of her face even though I was outside.I had to keep my mind of Balto and Rosie was good at doing that,I was worried about her.

Days passed and no sign of Balto or the dog team and Rossie was getting worse.As I was walking to the Docter's I noticed the red lamp that should be lighting outside the post office off.It was supposed to be lighting if there was still hope for the dog team.Oh No!They were lost I knew it!Rossie was getting sicker and there was nothing I could do.I ran to the Docter's and looked in the window.Rossie was still in her bed,her face was red.She looked so hot considering she lived in Nome Alaska.I lay my head down on the window-sill and I noticed something strang.A familliar scent filled my nose.I looked at where my head lay,there were paw prints there.They lead down of the window-sill and down the path out of Nome.

"Balto"I whisperd.

5:The Bear,Lake And My Paw.

Emm...I'd rather not right this part because I dont like the fact of Balto getting hurt but I guess I kinda have to.

I was deep into the forest.Suddenly I heard a load growl.I ran over to the sound.How smart am I?And saw a huge bear standing on frount of Balto.Balto's friends;2 polar bears and a goose were traped under a huge tree root.The bear raised its paw and was about to hit Balto when I jumped and bit the bear's neck.He threw me off and I landed on the hard snow.Balto was stunned but he managed to whisper:

"Jenna?"He leaped on the bear which hit him and sent him flying down a hill onto a frozen lake.The bear chased after him.I was about to run towards them when I heard somone calling;

"Hey what about us?"I turned around to see the goose calling me.I ran over and lifted the roots of them with my mouth.

"C'mon.Balto's in trouble!"We ran to the top of the hill and looked below.Balto was standing on the frozen lake and the bear on frount of him.The bear took a step forward and the ice beneth it and Balto shattered.They both plunged into the freezing cold water."No!"I shouted.I ran down the hill and triped halfway down.I rolled and hit the bottom landing on my frount right paw hard.I couldnt think about me right now,Balto was in trouble.I ran to the ice despite my paw and began to scratch at it.I could see Balto's face under the ice but it suddenly drifted away."He's drowning I screamed.Where is he?"

"I cant see him anywhere!"said the goose who was suddenly beside me.I heard a load crash as I watched the 2 polar bears dive into the lake."They cant swim!"I was shocked.

"Polar bears that cant swim?!"I exclaimed.10 minutes passed and the polar bears were back on dry land pulling Balto's unconsceous body behind them.I ran across the ice towards them forgeting about my throbbing paw.I reached them and stopped.The larger of the bears was trying to squeeze the water from Balto.The goose tripped and bashed into the bear.The bear fell on Balto and Balto coughed up a lot of water and he was O.K.

"Balto!"said the small bear in excitment.I ran up to Balto.

"Are you O.K?"We both said at the same time and laughed.

"What do you mean am I O.K?"I asked.I noticed he was shivering so I lay beside him and put one of my paws around him to keep him warm."We have to go up over the mountain."

"But if we take Eagle's Pass it will save us half the day"he complained but he still sound as sweet as ever.

"It's blocked"

"Jenna....I..I'm glad you came"he smiled and I smiled back.

"Balto I couldn't leave you."We leant closer and closer together.Suddenly I heard a voice;

"I think we better be going"It was the goose.I got off Balto and began to walk but my foot was to sore and I fell.

"Jenna are you hurt?"asked Balto.

"No Im fine"I lied.Balto looked at me as I fell again."Maybe Im not so fine".Balto took a branch with some leaves on it in his mouth and brought it to the bears.

"Muk,Luk take Jenna home on this."The bears picked up the branch and I sat in the leaves.

"And dont throw any snowballs on the way home"The goos laughed.

"You can make sure of that Boris because your'e going with them"said Balto.Boris was disapointed but he didnt argrue.He stopped at Balto and said:

"A dog cant make this journey alone but maybe a wolf can"and he walked towards us.Before we left I struggled over to Balto and gave him my red bandana.

"Im afraid it wont keep you very warm but it's all I have"

"It's great Jenna.Thank you"I nodded and went back to leaves.The bears dragged us out of the forest with Boris following us.I looked behind me at Balto until I couldnt see him any longer.

6:The Long Wait Over

When I got back I was really tired.I thanked Boris,Muk and Luk and went to bed.

The next day I was expecting everyone to be asking about Balto but no one seemed to notice he was gone.

Later that day I caught up with Dixie and Sylve.

"Jenna where were you?"asked Dixie.

"I went to find Balto"

"Balto!"exclaimed the both of them.

"He went to find the sled team"

"He'll never find them"siad Sylve

"Well if he never finds them he'll never find Steele."Dixie perked up.

"I hope he find them!"she screamed.

3 days passed.

One night I was in sitting in the boiler room surronded by dogs asking questions about Balto when suddenly the door flew open.Snow and wind blew in the door,a dark figure stood there.My heart lept with joy.

"Balto?"I asked.The figure steeped inside and my my heart sank.It was Steel.

"Steel!"shouted everyone in shock.Steel went over to the fire and robbed a bone of on eof the dogs and began to chew.

"Steel what happend?"asked Doc.

"We doing great intil that wolf dog showed up!"Steel looked at me."He whanted me to let him take the medicine."He bowed his head."He dragged and dragged it but he couldnt take it.And then....he didnt see the cliff and..."He looked straight at my eyes."He just whanted so much to look like a hero in your eyes.He made me promise that if anything was to happen to him that I would look after you."He pulled my bandana from his collar.

"My bandana!"I gasped.

"Im sorry Jenna."said Steel.I looked at him and knew it.

"Your'e lying!"Steel looked shocked.He looked around at the other dogs."Steels lying.Balto's coming home."I ran out of the boiler room in tears.

That night I went out into the snow with the glass bottles and the lamp I had collected.I sat the bottles near a snowy wall with the lamp behind it.Suddenly a ray of color was on the wall.I rememberd the time Balto had shown me this when we under the docter's.I missed Balto and I began to cry.A loud howel penitrated my ears.I looked up to see a ine of dogs runing towards the town.

"Balto."I whisperd.I ran back to the town barking in delight.

"Jenna,whats up?"asked Doc.

"Balto and the dogs are back!"Doc ran out of sight.I ran into the hospital and began to bark.

"Jenna!Get out of here!"shouted my master.

"I think she whants to show us something."said his wife.They followed me to the place I had seen the dogs.They gasped as they saw the team coming closer and closer.We ran back to the hospital and I nudged Rosie.

"W...what is it Jenna?"she coughed.I barked.I heard everyone outside cheer.I looked out the window.People were congradulating the dogs.A man got the medicine and brought it inside.Rossie was injected and was starting to look better.

I heard a familliar bark and I turned around to see Balto.I wagged my tail and barked.

"Balto!"I screamed.

"Jenna!"he replied.It was good to hear his voice again.We skipped and jump and then suddenly our noses touched.His nose was as warm as it had the first time we touched noses.

We walked outside together and everyone cheered.Balto wasn't just a dog.He was a hero.

               The End.