Kodi was snoozing outside of the "Shed". Ralph and Kirby were inside roughhousing. The spring weather was warm but the nights still cool. Oh but it felt good to know summer was on the way.
Dusty was at her home a little nervous. When her owner took her to the vet for her checkup, she found out that she was expecting. And Dusty knew who was the father. Kodi her boyfriend… Dusty even though a bit nervous about being a mother, she was excited. She had a soft spot for puppies. She decided to talk to her mother and figure out how to break it to Kodi.
Out the doggy door and down the street also past the post office. Once to the post office she turned down the street on the right. Past a few houses and there it was. The house Dusty was born in. Dusty walked up to the front door and stuck her head through the doggy door. "Mom?" Stacie & Dash, her parents were curled up together sleeping. Stacie’s ear flicked. "Mom." Dusty repeated. Stacie raised her head slowly and her eyes blinked a few times.
"Honey what are you doing here?" Stacie rose to her feet and Dusty walked into the living room.
"I have some news…"
"Were you kicked off the team? Did Kodi dump you? Did someone die?!" Stacie’s eyes were wide. Sometimes Stacie’s imagination got the best of her.
"None of those Mom!" Dusty said. Dusty sighed then sat down. Stacie followed her lead and sat down in front of her.
"What is it Dusty?"
"I’m pregnant with Kodi’s pups."
Stacie gasped. "Oh my goodness! When did you find out?"
"Just this morning. Mom I’m nervous." Dusty spoke.
"Oh honey… I was nervous too." Stacie sighed. "But when you and your siblings were born goodness you brought so much joy into my life. There isn’t one thing that won’t make you nervous about motherhood."
Dusty smiled a bit. "But how will I…you know…"
"Give birth? I’m not going to sugar coat it…it’s painful beyond what you thought you could feel. But let nature take it’s course."
Dusty cringed a bit. "Okay thanks Mom. I better go. I still have to tell Kodi."
Stacie stopped her daughter. "Be patient when you tell him." Dusty nodded before exiting her parents’ home.
***
"So Kodi how’s yours and Dusty’s relationship?" Ralph asked.
"It’s good." Kodi smiled. "No spats, no disagreements…yep it’s great."
Kirby chuckled. "Sure you haven’t gotten busy?" Ralph broke out laughing. Kodi looked at the tan husky, confused.
"What?"
"Oh you know what I’m talking about." Kirby struggled to hold his laughter back.
"I’m not following."
Ralph and Kirby gave him a weird look that kinda made him feel uncomfortable. Kodi thought for a bit. "Oh…" His jaw dropped and his eyes wide. His friends broke out laughing even more from his expression.
"Took you a while!" Ralph laughed. Suddenly, Dusty was at the door.
"What’s got you guys laughing?"
"Nothing." Kirby hushed himself. Dusty rolled her eyes.
"Ralph and Kirby can you give me and Kodi a minute?" Kirby and Ralph looked at each other. Dusty growled. The two walked outside, heads a bit low. They knew better than to mess with Dusty. Dusty watched them leave and once she was for sure she turned her attention to Kodi. "I don’t know how to say this…"Dusty started to pace.
"Say what?" Kodi asked. He tried to make his expression calm but he was worried. "Please sit." Dusty shook her head. "Kodi I’m…pregnant." He was shocked. He couldn’t believe it. "What?" "I just found out this morning that I’m pregnant. Two weeks along." Kodi let this process in his mind. No wonder she seemed a bit bigger. He walked closer to her and nuzzled her. "Don’t worry Dusty… you’ll be a great mother." Dusty smiled at Kodi. "Can we get through this?" "You bet we can get through this." *** Kodi circled his dad’s boat. "Dad?" Balto appeared at the bow. "Why hello Kodi! How are things with you and Dusty?" Kodi looked away then back at his father. Balto leapt down. "Kodi what is it?" "Dusty’s pregnant." "Oh…" Balto watched his son. "I’m scared that I won’t be a good enough father!" Kodi blurted out. Balto stood before his son and was quiet for a bit. "Kodi…" Kodi looked back up at his dad. "What does it take to be a good parent?" Kodi asked. He was scared. He never expected pups this soon. He didn’t feel ready at all. "Son to be a good father you must be patient. Listen to each and every one of them. Puppies only have two feelings it seems. Happy and confused." Kodi chuckled a bit. Balto smiled. "If you want real advice you better talk to your mother. She’s the one that made it all work." Kodi smiled. "Thanks Dad." Kodi nuzzled his father before turning back to town. He started off at a steady trot. "So Balto what’s eating Kodi?" Boris appeared with his mop in hand or rather should say wing. Balto smiled up at the old gander. "Kodi’s going to be a dad soon." Boris’s bottom jaw dropped. *** "Hey Mom are you here?" Kodi was waiting outside. Jenna came around from behind the house. "What is it Kodi?" Jenna was searching his face for answers. Kodi smiled weakly to his mother. Jenna stepped forward and nuzzled her son hoping to comfort him. "Dusty’s expecting puppies and I’m the father." Jenna gasped. "I just found out this morning and I was hoping for some advice. Dad gave me some but he said to come to you for real advice." "Being a parent is tough but the rewards are worth it. Puppies are sensitive and so you need to be gentle with them and don’t get angry around them. Also you need to understand. Dusty and you must have a good partnership because one person can’t do it all by themselves." Kodi nodded. "I hope that can clear up some of the dust." Jenna said. "Thank you Mom." Kodi smiled then a whistle rang through the air. "I got to go. Talk to you later mother." Kodi sprinted back to town. Jenna sighed. "He was a good pup." *** Dusty wolfed down her food. She wasn’t just eating for herself now. She could hear her owner talking with one of her friends. "I wonder who the father is." "I think it’s that red one that I believe is the son of Balto." "Really?" Dusty rolled her eyes. "Who else could it be?" Once she finished her meal she trotted outside to get some fresh air. "Hey Dusty!" Dusty turned to see Kodi coming up the street. Dusty smiled and walked down the stairs to now her mate. "How are you feeling today?" Kodi asked as he nuzzled her. "Fair I guess." Dusty answered before nuzzling him back. "A little dizzy but fine." Dusty smiled and Kodi returned her smile. "How are you?" "I’m doing okay. So do you know if you’re going to be off the team for a while?" Dusty nodded yes. "My owner was talking with our musher and so he’s trying to find a replacement until I’m ready to get back on the team." Kodi thought for a minute searching through his mind. "But you’ll be back on the team in no time." Kodi smiled and Dusty smirked. "I just hope the replacement’s good." *** Kodi was waiting with Ralph, Kirby and the two wheel dogs. For a couple of weeks Kirby or Kodi had to be the leader not both of them to work with Ralph. Everyday that Kodi visited Dusty, she got bigger and moodier. In the back room where she was kept, there was always a big nest of blankets when Kodi came over. Each day Kodi became more nervous but excited. "Finally he’s found someone to fill in for Dusty." Ralph said happily. Ralph was getting of tired of the entire switch a roos. First it’s lumbering Kirby then the next day the speedier Kodi. He couldn’t keep up of having to switch his pace around just to fit with them. Kodi and Kirby were also relieved. And the wheel dogs….well they don’t care. "I wonder who it is." Kirby thought for a brief second. Kodi just shrugged his shoulders then here came their musher with a fine looking husky with them. Kirby whistled. "Man she’s hot!" Kodi chuckled. "Shona here’s the teammates you’ll be working with for a while." The musher patted her head then was called over by the gentleman that ran the post office. Shona was about Dusty’s height but was light tan nearly cream. "Hello gentleman." Her sweet voice trapped them. "Who are the leaders?" She asked her blue eyes searching through the five of them. "Kodi and me, Kirby." Kirby stepped forward. Shona smiled sweetly as she looked over Kirby then Kodi. Shona stroked under Kirby’s chin with her tail. Kirby trembled and felt he was going to melt. As Shona sidestepped over to Kodi he growled. "Tough boy." Shona smirked. "I’m taken." Kodi said firmly. Shona rubbed up against him. "We’ll see about that." She whispered. *** Shona always ran behind Kodi. Kodi felt somewhat uncomfortable about it but he kept that to himself. Shona teased Kirby and Ralph but Kodi wouldn’t budge. He wasn’t going to mess up his and Dusty’s relationship over Shona. A few days later they had finished the run and were enjoying the fresh water from their bowls that the musher had laid in front of each of them. The musher removed their harnesses to show the job was done. He gave the dogs each a pat before taking the harnesses and sled away. The wheel dogs had headed for the old factory shed that the team hung out in. Kirby soon followed. "Hey Kodi you coming?" Ralph asked. Kodi looked back. "I’m going to see Dusty." Ralph nodded before running after Kirby. Shona had other ideas. Dusty was looking out the front window and saw Kodi coming up. Her tail was wagging then it dropped. Who was the yellow dog following him? All she knew was whoever it was it looked familiar. Dusty watched concerned as she saw Kodi turn around to face the dog. "What do you want Shona?" Kodi was getting annoyed and his voice showed it. "Easy tough guy." Shona snapped. Kodi growled. "I just wanted to know where you were going." "None of your business." Kodi answered firmly. Shona rubbed up against Kodi. "Oh come on, you can tell me." Dusty’s hackles rose. Who was this dog and why was Kodi allowing her to rub against him? "Have I ever told you it was a pleasure to be running behind you?" "No and I don’t need to know." Kodi turned away and was closer to the steps of Dusty’s house. Dusty whined as the stranger followed him. "Shona for crying out loud!" Kodi turned around and there was Shona. Their snouts touching. Shona smirked and nuzzled under his chin. Dusty couldn’t take it! It was one of those moments were you wanted to look away but couldn’t. "What are you doing!?" Kodi hissed and shoved Shona aside. "What do you think I’m doing?" Shona just replied coolly. She was about to rub against him again but Kodi knocked her down into the snow. "Just leave me alone." Kodi warned her then turned away and started up the steps. His head was too low to see Dusty in the window. But Shona saw Dusty and their eyes locked. Shona smirked and Dusty gasped. Dusty knew who it was. Her slut like sister Shona. "Dusty?" There was Kodi scratching at the door. Dusty looked at the door. "Come in." Dusty sat down. Kodi came there the doggie door and saw she was by the window. He trembled on the inside like a child in trouble. "I see the new replacement and you are getting along fine." Dusty spoke coldly. Kodi sighed. "Dusty it wasn’t what it looked like." Dusty would have tackled him but didn’t want to damage her unborn pups. "Oh really? Nuzzle and rub sure it isn’t what it looks like." She snapped. Kodi’s ears went back. It was the truth! He didn’t like Shona and yet Dust thought he did. "I swear Dusty! I don’t like Shona!" Dusty wanted to believe him. But Shona stole all her boyfriends. Shona always got what she wanted. Even if it was Dusty’s true love. "I’m not getting into this discussion. Good day Kodi." Dusty disappeared to the backroom. Kodi sighed and slipped quietly through the doggie door and headed for the shed. He knew Shona would be there. Dusty came back out and saw him turn down the street to the shed. She slipped through the doggie door and nearly got stuck but she made it through. "It’s getting to late in the season to be sneaking around." She thought to herself but wanted to see what Kodi would do. She always stayed far behind him so he couldn’t hear her clumsy action. Kodi was fuming angry with Shona. She ruined his and Dusty’s relationship. Dusty watched him enter the shed. She went to the side of the shed were some crates were piled up. Slowly but sure she hopped onto each crate until she reached the window to look in. Kirby and Shona were roughhousing while Ralph was watching them with a wagging tail. When Kodi’s shadow fell on the floor, Shona stopped. "Hello Kodi. How are you?" She spoke with sweet temptation as she started his way. "I told you to leave me alone. But you didn’t listen! Now you’ve wrecked my relationship! And you know what?!" Kodi snarled angrily. Ralph and Kirby started to back away, as they didn’t want to get in this mess. Shona stared at him with narrowed eyes. "Now my true love won’t talk to me!" Dusty sighed. She felt loved and wanted. She was about to hop down before she saw Shona trying to rub up against him. Kodi however had other plans. His jaws clamped around Shona’s scruff and dragged her around him in a circle. Shona was screaming. Dusty didn’t want Kodi to get this far. She scrambled down the crates and dashed into the shed. "Dusty?" Ralph asked surprise. Kodi dropped Shona and looked ashamed of himself for attacking a female dog. Shona slinked away from Kodi and looked relieved to see Dusty there. Dusty watched as Shona came closer to her. "Dusty why are you with him? He’s crazy! He’ll kill you!" Shona yelled. Dusty gave a sigh. "Sister you better shut that lying trap of yours before I shut it for you!" Shona was surprised at her little sister. "Kodi would never hurt me." Dusty looked at Kodi with a smile. Kodi smiled weakly back. "Wait Shona’s your sister?" Kirby asked aloud. "Yeah this piece of lies is related to me." Dusty said in a don’t care voice. "Now Shona you listen to me. You’ve stolen all the guys who liked me except for Kodi. You leave Kodi and me alone you understand?" Shona gulped. Dusty smirked and approached Kodi. She nuzzled Kodi and his tail started to wag. "You’re not mad at me?" Kodi asked. "No I’m not angry with you. Kodi I love you so much." Dusty and Kodi touched noses in a canine kiss. Shona wasn’t going to let Kodi go unpunished. "He nearly killed me!" Shona shouted. "And you deserved it!" Dusty barked. Kodi walked to the door. "Shall we?" He smiled. Dusty’s smile sparkled. "I think we shall." Dusty lumbered past everyone to the door. "Hey Dusty. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you." Kirby said. "You look as if you’re about to pop!" Ralph blurted out. Dusty chuckled and looked at her two friends. "I feel like I’m about to pop." Kodi and Dusty had then taken their exit. *** Kodi waited patiently for his harness to be taken off. As the leather slipped off of him he trotted over to where Kirby was standing and waited for Ralph. Before Ralph joined them, frantic barking caused him to look around. He spotted a blue gray puffball coming at him. "Who the?" Kirby’s eyes were wide. The puffball dog came nearer. "Oh goodness Kodi! You got to come quick! Now!" She yipped. "May I ask who are you?" Kodi asked curious. "I’m Dixie. Now come on! Its Dusty!" Kodi became concerned and became like a bullet. He was a bolting horse. If anything was in his way they would be a pancake. "What’s got Kodi?" Ralph asked. Kirby shrugged his shoulder. Kodi didn’t slow as he leaped over the four steps and landed on the porch. He stuck his head through the doggie door. "Dusty?" "Back here." He entered as quietly as he could. He looked around the house to make sure no one was around. He pushed the swinging door and his jaw dropped. Jenna was sitting by Dusty’s head. "He’s here Dusty." "Thank you Jenna." Jenna smiled at her son as she passed him. Kodi came peeked over Dusty and 4 pups were suckling. Their little bodies bunched together for warmth. "Oh they’re so beautiful." Kodi smiled then licked Dusty’s cheek. Dusty was tired but she was able to lick Kodi under his chin. "What shall we name them?" "Can we name one Connor? After my brother who died protecting his master." Dusty asked. Kodi smiled. "A wonderful idea." He spoke softly. Dusty looked at each one then found one who looked like Kodi except for the bridge on his nose. She nuzzled it and it squeaked. "This one." Kodi smiled then spotted one that looked like her mother. "Dusk?" Dusty smiled as she was looking at the same one. "How about Yukon for this one?" Kodi licked the head of one black/white pup. "Yukon, Connor, and Dusk." Dusty listed and looked upon the last one. It was a dark red female with Dusty’s pattern except for the white muzzle. "I’ve heard this name before. How about Jamie?" Kodi nuzzled Dusty. Kodi looked at each of the pups. First at Jamie then Dusk. His eyes shifted to Connor and fell upon the only different color pup, Yukon. "I hope Jenna won’t mind babysitting." Dusty said. Kodi chuckled.