Pick of the Litter

“Balto! Balto!” Boris called. He took Balto’s sleeping head and patted his cheek. “Wake up!”

Balto shook his head. “Huh? What?”

“Come, its Jenna.” Boris said in between breaths. Balto’s eyes widened understanding at what Boris was getting at. With out a word he found himself running to Jenna’s home. The summer grass made a soft “crunch” under his paws. He panted fiercely with each stride. In town he slowed to a trot then to a walk as he neared the shed he assumed that Jenna was in.

He slowly pushed the door open with his snout. The door creaked drawing Jenna’s attention to it.

“Well, Hello Balto.” She said quietly

He walked in and over to his second litter. “Jenna…” He gasped. Looking down at the four pups he noticed three of them looked like wolves one, which was the runt, looked like a husky.

“There as beautiful as ever.” He said as he nuzzled his mate. He feared for the ones that looked like wolves though. He didn’t want their fate to end up like Alue’s…Homeless. He also worried that the runt wouldn’t live. His siblings would pick and push him around. Like the omega of a wolf pack.

He hoped that this wouldn’t be the second litter’s fate. He wanted to give them a wonderful life and now it would be easier to let go its just holding on was the hard part. Saba and Dingo, two of his children had died already and Aleu was gone to live with wolves.

“Jenna, what if the pups don’t make it through?” Balto asked

“What do you mean?”

“I mean like they don’t get adopted or they die.”

“Oh, Balto. Don’t think such things!” She scolded then licked him on the muzzle “It will be ok, you’ll see.”

Seven weeks seemed to fly by and the pups here healthy along with playful. He had one week to be with them. He dreaded adoption day but he couldn’t keep it from coming. If he could he would and live with the pups forever.

Balto lay on the beach watching the three wolf-like pups play. But where was the fourth? Suddenly Balto heard a small growling noise and his ear being pulled. He smiled and looked over. It was Zeeke, the runt.

“Zeeke.” Balto said playfully and started standing up forcing the pup to let go of his ear. Zeeke laughed and pounced at his dad’s paws. Balto chuckled and ran away, Zeeke chased his father. It seemed that Zeeke had more wolf in him than his brother, Byte and sisters, Malt and Sissy. This could be a problem in many cases.

Balto tried to bond with the pups for as long as possible but they lived with Jenna so it was kind of hard. He felt like a failure to the last litter he sired. But it wasn’t going to happen again. He was blessed with a second chance and he wanted to make the most of it.

Chapter 2

A wooden box sat in a town of Nome, Alaska. There was a sign on the front saying

“Free pups to good homes”

Inside played four pups with the parents watching them and passer Byers. Inside one pup howled.

“Zeeke, honey please don’t howl.” The mother, Jenna said

“Sorry mom.” He said in a squeaky voice.

Jenna nuzzled the pup “its ok honey.”

Zeeke looked shocked as if he had never felt love before. Maybe he didn’t want to feel this emotion.

He made a quick growl and pounced on one of his siblings. The two laughed and played around. While the others looked out of the box.

“Malt and Sissy were always the quiet ones.” Jenna said to Balto.

“Yah” Balto said. He saw a little boy come over.

“Daddy, Daddy can I have a puppy?”

The dad rubbed his hand on the boys head, ruffling his hair. “Ok”

The boy laughed with joy in his eyes “I want this one.” He said while picking up Malt.

“She’ll be so good with Kodi.” The boy laughed

Sissy whimpered and jumped around the edge of the box trying to get to her twin, Malt. Jenna walked over and tried to calm her down while Balto pondered about the pup’s future.

Well Malt was going with that boy and she’ll be in good hands along with her older brother, Kodi.

Hours passed and every pup but Zeeke was adopted.

“I don’t understand.” Jenna said “All the other pups got adopted but Zeeke…”

“It’s his personality Jenna. He acts more like a wolf than a wolf itself. No human wants that living with them.” Balto said sadly. History was literally repeating itself.

Jenna sighed sadly accepting the truth.

“Why must this happen to our pups?” She said sadly and sat next to Balto. She rested her head on his shoulder and watched Zeeke sleep. Balto looked up to the sky he could feel Jenna’s warm tears on his shoulder.

I knew this would happen. If Zeeke didn’t die from his sisters then his fate would be like Aleu’s. He thought to himself.

The sun set behind the mountains. Balto walked to his boat with Zeeke sleeping on his back. Of course the pups were already weaned so he came to live with his father. The did that with the last litter.

He lay the snoozing pup on his blanket and fell asleep next to him.

Chapter 3

One year seemed like a lifetime of trouble for Balto and Boris. Muk and Luc thought Zeeke was fun to play with, when he wanted to play that is.

Zeeke watched as Balto and Boris talked. He hid behind the trees and planned his next move carefully. He bared his teeth and charged at them.

Pouncing on Boris then both fell with an “Oof” Zeeke got up and shook off the grass and dirt. He looked at his uncle and growled.

“Zeeke!” Balto scolded. “You know better get down!”

Zeeke looked at his father with utter shock and backed off of Boris.

“Sorry.” He murmured

Without his father looking he ran off to town. He loved to cause the butcher trouble. Walking around town he spotted his two sisters.

“Malt! Sissy!” he called and ran up to them.

“Oh, hey Zeeke!” Sissy jumped

Malt scoffed “Just like a stray, can’t find a human pup so he bugs us.”

Zeeke folded his ears back to his head. She hadn’t always been like this. But recently he’d been getting this crud from her. Good thing for Sissy she was a sweet heart.

Shaking it off he asked “Have you seen byte at all?”

“No.” Malt said

Sissy rolled her eyes at her twin “What she means is Byte has joined the sled team with our older brother, Kodi.”

“Really? Well tomorrow they’ll be up for a race.” Zeeke laughed while wagging his tail.

“It’s a mail team you dolt.” Malt said.

“I’m aware of that thanks.” Zeeke said

“Honestly, Sissy why are you so mean to him?!” Sissy demanded

“Because, 1) he’s a runt. 2) He’s a stray. And 3) he’s a savage. Pure wolf blood if you ask me. Honestly causing the poor butcher trouble and stealing from his stock. As if he isn’t poor enough.”

Malt curled her bushy tail.

“Come Sissy.” She said with her nose in the air and began trotting off.

“I’ll see yah around Zeeke.” Sissy said and caught-up to Malt. Zeeke smirked a goodbye and ran off. He lay down on the post office porch and listened for the mail team. Suddenly he heard barking and the clicking of harnesses in the distance. His ears flicked, he raised his head and looked towards the direction of the noises. He saw his two brothers Byte and Kodi along with the rest of the team coming his way.

He wagged his tail as the team neared. Soon they came to a stop and the musher unloaded the mail.

“Hey guys.” Zeeke said

“Hey Zeeke.” Kodi and Byte said.

“Byte, what been going on I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Nothin’ much. You?”

Before Zeeke could reply the musher had loaded the next batch of mail.

“Hike!” He called and the team set off. Zeeke ran along side them.

“Go Zeeke. The musher will whip you away.” Byte said.

“But-”

“Go!” Byte said with a snap at Zeeke’s legs. Zeeke yelped and tripped over himself. He sat in the snow listening to the team laugh.

Chapter 4

That afternoon Zeeke walked back to town and saw his brother Kodi along with his owner and his mother, Jenna with her human playing around together. Zeeke wagged his tail and ran over to them.

“Look Jenna!” Rosie laughed “Its Zeeke.”

Jenna and Kodi looked over and smiled. Zeeke slowed to a walk and panted as Rosie pet him. She pet him under his chin. Zeeke didn’t like this. just as the dad walk out the door Zeeke bit his daughter’s hand. Good thing she was wearing gloves.

“Zeeke!” Jenna exclaimed. Zeeke looked up and saw Rosie’s father pointing a pistol at him. Kodi darted in front of Zeeke.

The dad lowered the weapon and looked at his daughter’s hand. Thankfully no skin was broken. Zeeke folded his ears back and crept over to them.

“Get!” The dad shooed. “Go one get!!”

Zeeke began running but slipped on the snow. The dad was walking over. Frightened he ran off.

“Zeeke what do you think you were doing?!” Balto scolded.

“I-I don’t know. It happened instinctively.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.” Balto said upsettingly “You just have too much of my mothers side in you. It worries you mother and I.”

“Is that shameful I mean look at you!” Zeeke barked. Balto looked shocked then his expression turned angry.

“I’m going to take a walk.” Zeeke said and ran off the boat and into town. He ran over to the meat market and squeezed his body through the hole he had dug as a pup. Nearly getting caught. I’ll have to make that bigger. He thought.

He browsed though the meat and quickly stole some mutton. A light shined into the room. It was the butcher. Zeeke quickly but quietly made his way out.

Laughing to himself he ran to the woods.

He looked for a quiet place to eat his large piece of meat. He lay down and started gnawing on it. Not even five minutes later he heard nearby patting of paws. His ears flickered towards the noise but there were three of four wolves.

He got up and moved to another part of the wood un-aware that he was moving towards the wolves.

He chewed the de-thawing sheep. It was pulled right out from under him right before his eyes. He looked up at the thief. It was a wolf, Zeeke bared his teeth.

“Give that back!” He barked

“Give that back.” The brute mimicked “This isn’t a place for you husky, I suggest you leave.”

The other two wolves walked out of hiding laughing and growling.

Chapter 5

“Get him.” The brute barked. The two “minions” gave a low growl and crept towards Zeeke. Zeeke was observant though he watched their every move and dodged their every attack, or most of it. The female wolf caught him off guard and pounced on him. She bit his shoulder and shook her head.

Zeeke yelped and turned to bit her leg and pulled. Blood dripped onto his teeth he let go with a “bleh”

“Oh can’t stand the taste of blood house dog?” The scrawny she-wolf laughed along with the others. House dog?!?! Zeeke thought. He bared his teeth and flung her off. Their laughing was immediately stopped. Zeeke stood proudly but it didn’t last long. He found his neck in the clutches of the Brute; he was at the brute’s mercy.

He dragged Zeeke by the throat and stood over him.

Zeeke felt the blood from his throat spill onto the snow. He looked up and saw the Brute standing over him. His blood on the brute’s muzzle and teeth.

“I warned you husky.” He snarled “Now you’ll pay.”

Zeeke slammed his eye’s shut and waited for the final blow. He heard snarls and barking but he was to afraid to open his eyes. He waited…Soon he felt a cold nose brush against his cheek.

He slowly opened his eyes “Dad? But how?”

“That’s not important right now. Come, grab you meat and let’s go.” He said while walking off.

Zeeke got up and looked at him with relief but his tone didn’t seem very grateful.

“I never asked for your help.”

Balto stopped and walked back. “Asked? Do you really need to ask for help on a life and death situation?”

“Well-”

“If I hadn’t come when I did you would be dead! Lets go they’ll come back if the know we’re here.”

Balto walked off, Zeeke stayed behind.

“Now Zeeke!”

Zeeke ran picking up the mutton on the process and caught up to his father.

Night fell and everyone was already asleep, well to Zeeke knowledge. He sat at the edge of the boat and looked out at the auroras. They were nightlights of dazzling colors. There were times when they would look like a wolf or dog in a howling or running motion.

“Son?” Zeeke heard a voice. His ear flicked once and he turned his head to see Balto. Without a reply he turned his head back to facing the aurora borealis.

Balto walked up and sat next to Zeeke.

“It’s beautiful.” He said quietly “I remember when Aleu and I would sit and watch the northern lights.”

Aleu? Who was Aleu? Assuming it was Balto’s old girlfriend he didn’t bother to ask.

Balto sighed “Son I’m sorry about what happened. I never meant for you to live life like this.”

Zeeke shook his head in disbelief and walked into the boat to get some sleep.

Chapter 6

Zeeke woke up later on that night unable to sleep. As upset as he was he felt as if it would be good to talk to his dad. He looked around for him and noticed he was still sitting outside.

Zeeke shook off the blanket and walked over to him.

“Hey dad?”

“Yah son?”

Zeeke walked up and sat down. “I couldn’t sleep. Mind if I sit?”

Balto shook his head. “Zeeke, your mother any I never wanted this to happen. We both wanted all of you to live happily. But your fate is like your sister’s Aleu.”

Zeeke hoped she didn’t die because if that was his fate he might as well stay with a human.

“But dad I am happy.” Zeeke nuzzled Balto.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Balto smiled

Zeeke smiled a response and walked over to his blanket. He wrapped himself in it and quickly fell silently asleep.

Zeeke woke up earlier than usual. He thought about the night before, when his father came to save him. He felt like he had cheated his way out, a quitter, a whimperer. He got up and stretched.

Walking out to the front of the boat her looked at the sky. The instant light made him squint his eyes for a second. When they adjusted he looked back towards the sky. A molding of purple, pink, orange and light blue made the sky.

He trotted off to town and spotted Jenna. He slowly walked up to her.

“Hey mom.” He said.

“Oh, good morning Zeeke.” She said

Zeeke folded his ears. “How’s Rosie’s hand?”

Jenna didn’t reply instead she looked at the sky. Zeeke looked back as well with an expression that said one word “Unbelievable”

How could such a beautiful morning turning into dark clouds with thunder getting ready to make a waterfall of rain.

“I’m gonna go, Bye mom.”

“Bye Zeeke.”

Zeeke ran off and down an ally.

“Hey look it’s the runt.” He heard Malt say. Zeeke looked back and saw that her every one in her “group” but Sissy was laughing. He walked back with his ears folded.

“When will you swallow your pride?!” He growled.

“And give up my wonderful life with a stud-of-a-mate? Ha, I don’t think so.”

Zeeke growled and lowered his head along with creeping towards his sister. But two male huskies jumped in front of her and started barking.

“Get out of my town WOLF!”

Chapter 7

Zeeke sighed and ran off to the woods. He ran nonstop until he came to a river. He followed it and soon came to a large body of water. He ran slowly walking into it until his two front paws were under the water.

He looked into the water; a drip of rain fell and disturbed his reflection. When the water settled his reflection looked like a pure wolf.

Zeeke closed his eyes and ran through the shallow end of the water until he reached the other end. Rain pored and thunder rolled over. He stopped and looked back then began running again. Maybe never to return to town.

****

“Jenna.”

“What is it Balto?” Jenna asked worriedly

“Have you seen Zeeke? He’s been gone for a while.”

Jenna folded her ears. “He has?”

Balto nodded. “We got into an argument and I thought we made up, but I guess not.”

“I’m going out to find him.” Balto said as he nuzzled Jenna.

“Be careful”

“I will.” He said and ran off often sniffing for Zeeke’s scent.

****

Zeeke lay under a tree. The pines kept the rain out but it was very crowded. The dry, brown pines that lay under the tree poked him. A tear slipped from his eye and rolled down his face. Why was Malt like that? Why couldn’t she be like their other siblings Sissy, byte, Kodi, Moon and, Sumi?

Zeeke took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

****

Balto ran through the rain trying not to loose Zeeke’s scent. Balto slipped in a huge mud pit. He got up but it was deeper than he expected. The more he struggled to get out the deeper he sunk.

He heard a bear that seemed to be coming up from behind him. He looked behind him to see a massive paw swipe at him.

Chapter 8

The rain had let up some and the birds were starting to come out and sing. Zeeke got up and walked out from under the pine tree. He explored his new home. He stumbled upon a huge mud pit. There was a lump of something in it. Thinking it was easy pray he tested to see if the mud was sturdy enough. It was still a bit wet he would fall in for sure.

The figure looked at him then dropped its head.

“Dad?” Zeeke asked to himself “Dad!” he cried. Zeeke ran into the mud and after his father. He often fell and had to swim his way out.

He reached Balto and looked at his back. Gashes went down his back. The blood was too dry to tell how much there was.

He looked over to another lump in the mud. It was a bear that had suffocated.

“Don’t worry dad. I’m gonna help you get home.”

***

“How are you dad?” Zeeke asked.

“I’m fine son thanks.” Balto lay under his blanket on the boat.

Zeeke nodded and said “I’m going to town.”

“Ok son.” Balto yawned.

Zeeke walked to town. He spotted Malt looking in the hospital window.

“Malt?” He asked.

She didn’t answer. Zeeke walked up and looked into the window as well. There was a sick little girl lying in bed.

“She’s sick.” Malt muttered

Zeeke looked confused. “Sick? With what?”

“A very bad case of the flue, it’s a sickness that can be fatal if not treated right away.” Malt said quietly.

Zeeke thought for a second. Should he feel bad? She was always mean to him and treating him like dirt. Could she be turning over a new leaf? What if her human pup does die? Malt only lived for her girl.

Zeeke shook his head. And jumped off the crate. “She’ll be fine.” He said while walking away.

“They’re out of medicine.” Malt said.

Chapter 9

Those words stung Zeeke. He turned around “Are you sure?”

Malt slowly nodded, He saw a few tears drip from her eyes. For the first time in his life he felt petty for a human.

A race of teams was being held in town. Who ever made first retrieved the medicine from Anchorage. The race was to White Mountain and back to Nome.

Zeeke looked for Kodi and his team. He planned on running along side them and winning. For Malt and for her girl, for all the others who needed it.

The gun sounded and the dogs set off, so did Zeeke. He was out of site but stayed near. It was hard to keep up but it could be worth it in the end.

Since the unusual storm they had the snow has been nothing but ice and slush making it very hard to run. Zeeke ran on a hill along Kodi’s team. He kept hearing noises though. He often looked out of the corner of his eye. Something popped out from behind a bush. Zeeke jumped and fell down the slippery hill. He landed in front of Kodi’s team. Kodi gasped and forced himself to stop causing on of the dogs to bend their leg and break it.

In desperation the musher put the dog in the basket and hooked Zeeke up.

Surprisingly Kodi’s team made first. That’s the advantage of being on a mail team. The dogs were praised while Zeeke ran over to the hospital and looked into the window that Malt’s human pup lay in.

She was lying in be asleep with Malt lying on the floor next to her. Don’t worry; I’ll get you that medicine. Zeeke thought and ran to the boat.

Hours later Byte ran to the boat and over to Zeeke.

“Zeeke! Zeeke get up.” Byte panted

Zeeke’s head shot up. “What?”

“We need to leave now!”

“Now? I thought we were leaving tomorrow.”

“I know but there was a death, we need to go now. Hurry!”

Zeeke jolted up and the two ran over to the team.

***

They set off without hesitation with the musher repeatedly calling out “hike!” Zeeke tried his hardest to stay focused but at the speed they started at and the speed that they’re going made him dizzy.

“Are you ok Zeeke?” Byte called

Zeeke nodded and became more focused. Hang in there kids. Zeeke thought he was especially doing this for Malt and her girl, Jamie.

Chapter 10

“Are we too late?!” The musher asked as her ran into the hospital of White Mountain. Dusty rested her head on Ralph’s shoulder.

“Will my boy be ok?” She asked

Ralph liked her on the cheek as a comforting reply.

The musher and one other person walked out holding the meds. They hitched it onto the sled and they set off. As they neared Nome Zeeke was about to pass out. He was to tired and out of breath. Just a little more. He thought Do it for the kids! Zeeke gained confidence in himself. He was going to make it! The dogs ran faster and faster with eager and excitement. The people rushed out of their homes. Zeeke smiled he did a great job for a first timer. To run on a team was a dream come true for him. His heart was beating rapidly with energy.
Suddenly there was a pain in his chest. He fell to the ground. The dogs in front of him tumbled.
"Whoa!" The musher called out. He walked over to Zeeke and looked at him. He noticed blood spilling out of his jaws; he rested his head on the wolf/dog's chest. The musher pet the hybrids head and closed his eyes.
"He's gone."
His two brother’s Kodi and Byte dropped their jaws. Their eyes filled with tears.

This was his chance to go right. Kodi thought as he looked towards the sky.

The musher un-hitched Zeeke and lay him in the basket. "You did well." He said
the Musher got the dogs back in their place and with a soft "hike" they slowly trotted home.

The end

End continuation

Malt watched the team trot into town. Where’s Zeeke? She thought. She squeezed her way through the crowd and walk over to Kodi and Byte.

“Where’s Zeeke?” She asked

There was a long pause. The crowd seemed to decrease by the second.

“He’s in the basket.” Byte said. Malt’s heart sank; she cautiously walked up to the sled.

“Zeeke?” She pulled the cover off reveling his lifeless body. She gasped and her eyes filled with tears. She turned and cried on Kodi’s shoulder.

“He loved you very much.” Kodi said

“He died mainly to help your girl so you would be happy.” Byte added. Malt cried even harder. Why had she been mean to him? If only she could go back and change her ways towards him.

***

Malt sat at the sled while everyone was inside the hospital. She stared down at her brother.

“I’m sorry I treated you like dirt.” She sniffed “Yet you loved me enough to die for the kids and my girl. Thank you.” Tears rolled down her face. “When my pups come I’ll tell them all about you and I’ll even name over after you. You’re not the runt you’re the pick of the litter, I love you so much Zeeke.” She licked his cheek and covered him back up. “Goodbye, brother.” She said and walked into the hospital.