"Easy Pirate!" a little girl said as she held onto the leash of an excited husky. Pirate barked and his red & white tail wagged as he checked out the town called Nome. He turned his head to face the little girl and he licked her hand. Ashley the little girl giggled and stroked his head. Pirate rubbed her side with his handsome head and Ashley smiled. The two were waiting outside the post office. Her parents came outside and Pirate barked. Mr. Baker patted the dog's head before he walked side by side with Mrs. Baker toward their new house. Ashley went into a fast run and Pirate ran by her side. "Be careful Ashley." Mrs. Baker spoke. "I'll try!" Ashley yelled as they turned down onto a street. Pirate barked again and started to hop around Ashley as she slowed. Ashley laughed and stopped in front of a small house. She went onto her knees and held Pirate's head in her hands. Fog formed from Pirate's breath as he panted. "Oh Pirate I love you!" She hugged his neck and the dog closed his eyes in comfort.
A few days later after the family had moved in, Pirate was walking around town. The morning sun gleamed in the sky and the snow was as if shaved diamonds. Pirate was a dashing red and white husky. He had a white underside but he had a black patch on his right eye. He put his head to the ground and sniffed the fresh snow. The mail team had not yet arrived and he was glad he had not missed them. He lifted his head and hopped onto the wood sidewalk by the post office. He sat down by the wall and waited but a bark from inside caught his attention. He walked over by the window and stood on his hind legs with his paws on the sill. He saw an Airedale Terrier being petted by a person. Pirate wagged his tail and trotted to the door. Luckily for him someone was just leaving and he slipped inside. The post office was warm from the chill of December outside. Pirate shook and looked up just as the manager came out from behind the counter. "Hello there. You must be the Bakers' dog." The elderly man knelt down and scratched behind Pirate's ear. The dog stretched his neck forward and the man chuckled. "You're a friendly one. What's your name?" The man looked at his brass tag of his brown leather collar. "Pirate... that's a good name for you." He looked at the black patch. Pirate barked and the man chuckled. "Mel come on out and say hello." The Airedale Terrier trotted out from behind a stack of boxes. Pirate wagged his tail and Mel wagged his stub of a tail. The man chuckled again before standing and going back to sort the mail.
"Hi, I'm Pirate. You must be Mel." Pirate spoke.
"Yes and it's nice to meet you. I must say you seem confident of yourself." Mel said as he circled the husky.
"Well you have to be confident when starting out in a new town. Or I should say state." Pirate said as Mel finished inspecting him.
"What do you mean a new state?" Mel asked as he sat down. Pirate sighed before he walked to the window.
"We moved up from Colorado. So it was a far travel." Pirate looked back at Mel and Mel smiled at him. He smiled back but the sound of running dogs made him look back at the window. The mail team had just pulled up.
"Oh thank goodness they made it!" Mel said as he stood to walk outside. "Come on Pirate! They'll be glad to meet you." Pirate smiled and followed Mel outside as the musher came in with a bag stuffed from letters.
"Hey Mel! Who's the new guy?" Kirby said before he put his head down to drink from the bowl that the musher laid in front of him. Dusty, Kodi, Ralph, and Avalanche looked at Pirate.
"This here is Pirate. His family just moved in from Colorado." Mel answered. He looked at Pirate.
"That's Kirby with Kodi at his side. Behind them is Ralph and Dusty. Then its Blaze and Avalanche." Pirate nodded as he looked at each one.
"I can see where you got the name." Ralph spoke and Pirate chuckled.
"Hey Pirate once he gets our harnesses off we'll show you around town." Avalanche said before she gave Ralph's tail a playful nip. Ralph yelped and the team laughed.
"I would like that." Pirate replied and he smiled. The sled team was nice and he was glad that he was going to be friends with them.
After the team showed him around town they headed back to where the team stayed. "So Pirate what do you do?" Dusty asked as she settled herself by Kodi.
"What do you mean?" Pirate asked as he looked up from roughhousing with Blaze & Ralph.
"Do you pull a sled or whatever." Dusty answered.
"I was trained for tracking." Pirate replied. Avalanche & Kirby dropped the rope from a game of tug-o-war and looked at him. Kodi & Dusty jaws were open and Ralph & Blaze stopped to listen. Pirate looked at each one of them before Avalanche started to circle him and inspected him.
"But look at you! You got fine, muscular legs and you have a deep chest. You're a sled dog all over!" Avalanche spoke.
"But every dog's different and not every husky needs to be a harness dog." Pirate looked at the gray and white face of Avalanche.
"He does have a point." Kodi said and the others nodded their heads.
"First time I've ever seen a husky trained for tracking." A voice said from outside the open door. Pirate looked at the door to see a brown husky male.
"Hi Matt." Ralph said as he started to slink behind Blaze.
"So you're the new dog eh?" Matt asked as he stepped in front of Pirate.
"You got that right." Pirate said with a low voice. Something wasn't right about this dog. From the way he held his head, he seemed as if over confident and wanted everyone to know he was boss.
"You got a name?" Matt growled.
"Pirate." Pirate growled back.
"Alright enough you two!" Avalanche snapped as she got between the two. Pirate backed off as Matt still growled.
"Matt..." Kodi warned him. Matt gave a smug grin and backed off.
"I'm just testing the kid." Matt said. Dusty rolled her eyes then a whistle rang through the air.
"Time for me to head home." Pirate said as he started walking toward the door.
"Run home whelp." Matt whispered and Pirate wheeled around.
"What did you say?" Pirate spoke as he advanced toward him.
"Nothing... just good night." Matt said. Pirate narrowed his eyes before he turned back toward the door and walked out into the evening.
"Matt why do you have to be such an ass?" Pirate heard Dusty say and laughter rose. "Good job Dusty." He thought.
In the dining room that night the weather report was given. "Blizzard getting stronger and moving in. Not to hit until about after Christmas. This week is to be sunny..." Mr. Baker turned off the radio. Ashley looked at Pirate and Pirate wagged his tail. "Dad may I be excused?" Ashley asked.
"Yes you may sweetie. Don't forget to take your plates to the kitchen." Mr. Baker said before he ate a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Ashley hopped down from her chair and gathered her silverware, plate, and cup and headed for the kitchen. Pirate rose and waited for her by the kitchen door. She came out and put her hand on his back as they walked toward the stairs. The 7-year-old put her other hand on the rail and together they made it up the stairs. "I'm so glad your brother got her him for her birthday." Mrs. Baker said to her husband. He smiled before he answered, "I'm glad too."
As Ashley was on her bed with her teddy bear in her hand she spoke with Pirate. "Do you think guardian angels exist Pirate?" she asked and Pirate wagged his tail. "I wonder what they look like. Do you think you ever see them?" Pirate just simply put his right paw on her leg and she smiled at him. "I bet you're right Pirate. They do exist it's just you only see them in your greatest need." Ashley hugged his neck again as they looked at the stars out her window. "Honey its time to go to bed. You have school tomorrow." Mrs. Baker said from outside the door. Ashley looked at the door before she reached for a book by her nightstand. "I'm reading Pirate his bedtime story." Ashley replied and she flipped through the pages to chapter 3 of her Wishbone story. Pirate laid his head down on her leg and sighed. "This is the meaning of happiness. Not a thousand bones but a family who cares for you." he thought as he listened.
***
The crisp morning was just an excellent day to meet new people. What Pirate didn't know was he was about to meet one of the most famous dogs of Nome. "Hello you must be Pirate." A female voice said.
Pirate turned to see a red and white husky standing by a brown wolf dog. "Yes I am and you are?" Pirate replied.
"I'm Jenna and this is Balto." Pirate gasped before he bowed his head.
"It's a pleasure to meet you two." Pirate said.
"Why thank you. Do you know Kodi?' Balto asked.
"Yes I do. He's one of my best friends." Pirate answered and Jenna smiled.
"That's good. He's one of our sons." She said. "I see the team hasn't come in yet." Jenna finished.
"Yes and Mel's fretting about it." Pirate said and Balto laughed.
"Hey Balto and Jenna!" Another voice behind Balto came from a small husky. Pirate stood and wagged his tail.
"Why hello Star! Where's Nikki & Kaltag?" Jenna asked.
"Oh they're just being slow." Star said as he sat down beside Balto.
"Who you calling slow?" Kaltag joked as he and Nikki came around the corner. Jenna, Balto, and Pirate laughed as they came sat by them.
"Wow, man I'm surprised you're not on the team." Nikki said as he looked at Pirate. "That's what everyone's been telling me." Pirate said and the group chuckled.
"Hey Kaltag he has that same fur pattern just like you." Star said and Kaltag hushed. Pirate looked at Kaltag and Kaltag looked at him.
"What's you name?" Nikki asked.
"I'm Pirate." Pirate replied and Star laughed.
"I see it came from the patch. Hey Kaltag you think you're related to him."
Kaltag raised his paw to hit Star but stopped and hastily answered, "A lot of huskies got that same pattern so there's no chance."
Some heads nodded but Pirate spoke, "The team has just reached the town." Star cocked his head and Jenna sniffed the air.
"How can you tell?" Nikki said. Pirate chuckled,
"I was put into tracking training because of my acute sense of smell. Hell, even the trainer said it was better than a wolf's." Balto smiled at the new dog.
Kaltag meanwhile was thinking hard. Pirate couldn't possibly be related to him. His fur was a tan and Pirate's was a blazing red which made him a bit jealous. The patch on his eye was a brown and Pirate's was a black. Pirate was at least a bit taller at the shoulder than him. There was no way he was related to this dog unless...
"Hey Kaltag let's go!" Nikki brushed past Kaltag and Kaltag shook his head a bit. "See ya Jenna, Balto, and Pirate." Kaltag said as he turned to follow Star and Nikki. Jenna smiled and waited for the team. The sound of barking and racing feet soon came to their ears. Balto smiled at Jenna and Pirate pawed the door to tell Mel the team was here.
Once the team had exchanged hello with the three and rested for a bit they were let loose of their harnesses. Balto and Jenna were making their way back home after a hello with their son. Avalanche however seemed a bit worried.
"Hey Avalanche what's bugging you?" Kirby asked. She simply just sighed and looked at her kind friend.
"Someone was suppose to meet me here after the run was complete." Dusty, Kodi, Ralph, & Pirate looked at Avalanche.
"Who is this dog?" Ralph asked.
"My friend's family is visiting so I thought you guys might want to meet her." Avalanche said then a bark came just from the end of the street. The team looked up and Pirate's jaw dropped.
A yellow/white husky was trotting toward them and as they came nearer she slowed to a smooth trot. "Sorry I'm late Avalanche." She said breathlessly as Avalanche met her halfway.
"Oh it's alright. Come and meet the team."
"Everyone this is my friend Shasta. Shasta the two lead dogs are Kirby and Kodi." Kirby and Kodi stepped forward and smiled at Shasta. Shasta smiled back and she giggled at the bit of drool hanging from Kirby's mouth. Kodi gave Kirby a shove as Ralph and Dusty were introduced.
"So Avalanche where are you at?" Shasta asked.
"I'm a wheel dog with Blaze but he already headed home." Avalanche answered. Pirate meanwhile waited by Ralph but Avalanche just had to tell Shasta who he was.
"This is Pirate one of the team's good friends." Shasta's and Pirate's eyes met but she looked away first.
"Hello Pirate nice to meet you." Shasta spoke bashfully.
"And to you to Shasta." Pirate tucked his right leg under him and his left leg slide in front of him, performing a bow. Shasta smiled and as the females walked in the front of the group, the guys walked behind them.
"You are such a show off!" Kodi joked and the guys laughed.
"I do have to admit she's quite a beauty." Pirate arched his neck and the guys busted into laughter again.
"In you dreams!" Ralph said.
Back in the "Team Shed" as Ralph calls it the fire crackled. Dusty and Shasta were speaking about different things. Kodi & Ralph were enjoying a good game of tug-o-war as Pirate, Avalanche, & Kirby watched. "Come on Ralph!" Kirby barked and Pirate cheered, "You can do it Kodi!" Ralph let go of the rope and Kodi went tumbling back.
"Trying to break my jaw Kodi?" Ralph said and the watchers got a big kick out of that.
"Oh please spare me the lecture about your broken tooth." Kodi laughed. Another round of laughter went up. Pirate however was focused on Shasta. In his mind it was as if she had a glow of happiness around her.
"Hey Pirate wake up!" Kirby shouted in his ears. He only flicked his ear and Avalanche growled before she nipped his tail. Pirate yelped as he sprang into the air.
"A fool in love." Ralph chuckled. Pirate growled and he heard Shasta chuckle.
"Looks like the tracker's back." Matt snapped as he walked in.
"Leave me be Matt." Pirate growled.
"Fine and who do we have here?" Matt said as he made his way by Dusty and Shasta. Dusty growled at him but Shasta spoke quietly, "I'm Shasta."
Matt gave a devilish grin before putting a paw on Shasta's back. Pirate's hackles raised. Shasta shook with angry at Matt. "If you don't lay your paw off me I'm going to shove your snout up in your tiny little brain." Matt quickly withdrew his paw and was quite shocked. Pirate gave a chuckle as she was just more than an angel but one with some hell's fire.
"Sorry." Matt spoke flatly.
"Come on Shasta. Let's head home." Avalanche spoke as she rose from laying down. Shasta trotted to the door and stopped.
"Good night everyone." She spoke before she followed Avalanche. Pirate sighed before Matt gave a growl, which brought him back into reality.
"Hey Kirby. Why is Matt hanging around in here?" Pirate asked as the others started to bed down for the night.
"He's for backup. If a dog on the team gets injured and has to have some time to recover then the backups take their place until they heal." Kirby answered as he circled his spot before he laid down.
"Who's all the backup?" Pirate asked again.
"Star, Matt, Nikki, Kaltag, and I think someone else but I can't remember." Kirby said as his eyes closed.
"Thanks." Pirate whispered before he walked into the chilly night. It was a quiet night as Christmas was only a few days away. "Silent night." He thought to himself. He trotted home down the main street as Christmas lights, hanging from porches, glowed.
***
The next day started out all the same. He would check around Nome, talk with the other dogs before he met up with the sled team, then he would drool over Shasta. Just on the outskirts of town, the team and Pirate played around. A roughhouse match was going on. Kirby had Avalanche pinned but before he could nip her ears, Ralph rammed Kodi into him. Kirby and Kodi tumbled through the snow and when they stopped Kirby was on top. Dusty, Pirate, Ralph, and Avalanche laughed at the sight. Dusty and Avalanche pounced upon the two and had a laughing fit. Pirate sat to regain his breath as before he was nearly slammed into the ground from a Dusty, Kodi, Avalanche attack.
"Hey Pirate how are you?" a voice said from behind him. He turned his head to see Shasta.
"Oh hi. I'm doing well. How are you?" he asked. Shasta sat down beside him and watched the others.
"I'm alright. I heard you track." Shasta said and Pirate nodded.
"Do you have any job?" he asked. Shasta smiled before she answered.
"Unless you call a family dog a job." Pirate chuckled. Shasta smiled and her left ear swiveled to behind her as if she picked up a sound. "You might want to watch out. Kodi's right behind you."
Pirate chuckled but didn't look behind him. Suddenly he found himself on the ground with Kodi standing over him. Kodi barked before he chased after Dusty and Ralph. Shasta stood and lowered her head to where her head was closer to Pirate's. "I warned you." she whispered before she dashed forward to tackle Kirby. Pirate gave a groan before he stood.
Later that night he slipped into his home by the doggy door. It flapped behind him as he looked around his home. Mr. Baker was sitting in his Lazboy recliner reading a mystery book and Pirate's ears picked up the sound of dishes clanking together, which meant Mrs. Baker was washing dishes. Ashley was sitting on the floor trying to find her way through a maze in her fun book. "Pirate!" she said and she rushed forward. Ashley wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big hug. Pirate smiled as he watched her collect her book and followed her upstairs to bed. In her bed she was laying on her side and Pirate's head was almost on the pillow. "We were talking about Lewis and Clark in school. Tomorrow after school I'm going to explore because our Christmas vacation starts." Pirate wagged his tail and he looked at her with his brown, soulful eyes. Ashley giggled before she closed her eyes to sleep. Pirate watched her for a bit before he fell asleep.
***
Pirate was waiting on the porch of his home. The morning was routine and it was now afternoon. "Ashley should be here soon." He thought as he laid his head on his paws. He was soon dozing and didn't realize it was about 4 when he awoke. He yawned and saw Star running toward him. Pirate arched an eyebrow but something in Star's eyes as he drew closer told him something was wrong. "Yes Star?" he asked as he rose to stretch. Star bent his head down and panted, his sides heaved.
"Pirate" Star started. "they need you down at the police station." He finished. Pirate's eyes widen and he jumped down the stairs and galloped toward the station. As he reached it he looked around the station. How the hell was he suppose to get in? Star had managed to catch up. "Back here" he said breathlessly and led him toward the back where the team, Balto, Jenna, Sisco, Shasta, and the backup team waited.
"What's going on?" Pirate demanded rather than asked. The others hushed but Jenna spoke.
"Ashley's missing. She didn't go to her friend's house like she was suppose to."
Pirate was in shock. Nothing seemed real to him. Everything and everyone was in a blur before he put his head down. "Don't worry...you won't have to worry about the funeral. She'll freeze out there." Matt said as he rolled his eyes. A gasp rose and Pirate glared at him. He advanced toward him and his snout was about to touch Matt's. Matt looked into his eyes.
"Why are you so heartless Matt?" Shasta snapped.
Pirate snarled with fury and shoved Matt into the snow. Matt was surprised and as he tried to stand Pirate tackled him and Pirate's jaws were clamped on his leg. "Pirate!" Balto yelled. Matt gave Pirate's nose a nip and Pirate let go. Nikki and Balto dashed forward and separated the two. Pirate tried to jump over Balto his barricade to get back at Matt but Kodi shoved him into the snow. Matt trembled behind Nikki. Pirate snarled at Matt.
"You bastard! You just love to be a nuisance don't you?" Pirate snapped as he stood. Matt didn't reply but he didn't need to as Pirate walked away from the group, his anger fuming.
At six the team was in their cozy shed as Pirate walked in. He shook his fur to loose the snow flurries that had fallen on his coat. "I've decided to go out there and find her. I'm not leaving it to the police team." Pirate said.
"Are you crazy? You'll die out there!" Avalanche said.
"She's right. The blizzard is settling in." Ralph spoke.
"I don't care! I have to find her." Pirate answered.
The team was quiet. Pirate looked at each of their faces. "See you guys later." He started out the door but Dusty spoke.
"We'll come with you!"
"No! I want to do it myself." He said lowly. Mutters rose from the team as he trotted out the door.
"He's nuts!" Kodi said as Ralph shook his head slowly.
"But he wants to do it alone." Kirby said before he added, "So we'll let him." Dusty sighed.
***
Pirate was struggling through a snowdrift. He had reached the forest edge following Ashley's weak scent. He shivered not from the cold but of the feeling of being alone. He looked around to see if he could pick out her tracks. The wind blew and snow was being tossed around. He sighed before he squinted his eyes and picked up a faint track of Ashley's snow boot. "She must be this way." he thought. He went into a slow trot following the track. With the blowing snow his sight wasn't as good and he stumbled to the snowy ground. Pirate took a deep breath as he staggered to a stand. "Have to find her." he thought as he trudged on.
Back at the shed, both teams waited as well as some of the town dogs. Everyone was quiet wondering if they should do something. Kaltag seemed to be talking to himself before he stepped in front of everyone. The other canines looked at him wondering what would he say. Kaltag looked at each one before he cleared his throat. "Ashley should be in front of the fire wrapping some last minute presents with Pirate at her side being a goof. Then he would lead her to her room and the two should be awaiting for Santa Claus to arrive. But no they're not...cuz they're out in the forbidden cold with a blizzard coming." Some heads nodded and a few mutters. Kaltag took a deep breath before he continued. "I should know Pirate very well." A few confused dogs looked at each other for an answer. "I know that he likes to do stuff on his own but my son made one mistake." A gasp swept through the shed. "It takes more than one dog to save a life. I'm going out there to find him and Ashley. Now who's going to help me?" Kaltag raised his head and looked at each canine again.
Shasta looked her friends then stepped forward. She sighed and waited. Soon Kodi and Dusty joined. Kirby, Star, and Ralph stepped into the line. "I guess I'm coming to." Nikki spoke as stood by Ralph. Kaltag smiled before he looked at Shasta. She smiled back while her blue eyes sparkled.
"Then come on! Let's get them back!" Kaltag barked as he rushed outside into the unforgiving night.
***
Pirate had caught a fresh scent. It was Ashley and it seemed she was stumbling around, blinded by the snow. His spirit was brighten and he quickly took after it. Even though his legs were sore he felt nothing.
***
The search party had taken up Pirate's path and had slowed to a slow canter. "I hope we find him soon." Ralph said as he stayed behind Kodi.
"We'll find him. Alive I hope..."Kaltag answered. Mumbles were heard but Kaltag shrugged them off. They continued to follow his track but was getting covered by the light part of the blizzard. Finally they made it to the forest edge. "We got a bit of a break." Kaltag spoke as the trees blocked some of the harsh wind.
***
Some time later Pirate was hunched behind a snowdrift. He had fallen on a patch of ice and his left leg was sensitive to the ground. He finally found a large drift where he could limp to then hunker down. He sighed before he lowered his head and thought, "I can't do this at least not alone." He was losing his faith then a sweet sound came to his ears. He lifted his head and his eyes try to make things out in the blowing snow. It seemed like he had heard it before but where? He stepped forward then he recognized it. It was singing. His eyes widen and tried to run but his leg slowed him down. It was the song that Ashley's mother always sang to her.
"The gypsy rover went over the hill.." Pirate's heart lept and tried to go as fast as he could toward the sound of it. Bark! Bark! He slowed to a walk as the singing stopped. "Pirate?" a little voice called out. Pirate smiled then his eyes picked out something peeking out from behind a drift by a large pine tree. "Pirate!" Ashley ran forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh Pirate you found me!" Tears rushed down her cheeks as she cried into his neck. Pirate closed his eyes in content but flew open as he realized his misson wasn't over. He had to get them back...alive. "Oh Pirate you're hurt!" Ashley exclaimed as she held his leg in her hands. Pirate nudged her. "Ok..lead the way." He turned and with Ashely clinging to his collar followed his soon disappearing path.
***
Shasta paused. She had heard something to their left. Star looked at Shasta. "What is it?" he asked as he shivered from the cold.
"Didn't you hear something?" she asked the others.
"Just the wind." Kirby joked. Shasta looked down at her feet then back up at them.
"But I heard something." she spoke. The group mumbled then they continued following Pirate's path.
***
Pirate and Ashley had to rest. Pirate laid down in the snow. "Pirate come on! We got to keep going before it gets worse!" Ashley threw herself on the tired dog's body and cried. "It's all my fault boy! I'm so sorry!" Pirate lifted his head and gave her wet cheeks a lick. "Oh Pirate I love you so much!" Ashley laid her face in his think fur. Pirate shifted until he was laying on his belly. He looked down at Ashley. Her life was in his paws. He lifted his head and gave a howl. A howl full of sorrow and lost.
***
The whole group heard the howl. Ears perked forward and alert took the stance. "It's Pirate!" Shasta dashed forward. The group quickly followed the excited dog. "Come on!" she yelled as she breathed for every ounce of air as she ran harder than she did before.
"Pirate!" Kaltag called out. Not far from the group Pirate lifted his head again. He heard his name even over the loud crying of Ashley. Ashley choked back her tears as she realized her dog had sensed something.
"What is it boy?" she said quietly. Pirate quickly staggered to a stand and threw his head into the air to send another howl.
The pack took a turn to their left. His scent now was closer and new energy flowed in everyone. Kaltag led the pack hoping they wouldn't be too late.
***
Pirate limped a little over 3 feet to his right. AHH!! Kaltag collided into Pirate and they tumbled into the snow. Jubilent barks filled the air as the search pack surrounded Pirate and Ashley. New hope sprang up in Pirate's and Ashley's hearts. "Now how do we get home?" Star asked and the canines were silent.
"One of us is a tracker." Shasta replied as she smiled at Pirate. Pirate's soul was suddenly all sunshiney and he could feel he was about to drool but he harnessed his feelings about Shasta and raised his head in a commanding way.
"Let's go home!" he barked before he put his nose to the ground. Ashley grabbed his collar and stayed at his side. Kaltag was on his other side with Shasta behind him. Kodi, Dusty, Kirby, and Star were in the middle of the group as Ralph and Nikki were in the back.
Even with the scent almost disappearing Pirate kept on. The wind became suddenly hard and it almost blinded everyone. The dogs hunched closer together as they had reached the forest side. Kodi raised his head and his eyes picked out the lights of Nome in the distance. "We're almost home!" he shouted out. Hearing those words, the entire pack pushed harder and had to go slower as they struggled through the snow. Ashley kept falling and everytime Pirate was at her side to get her up.
"Home!" Ashley cried out as her eyes then found the lights. She tried to go faster, running on hope instead of strength. As they neared Nome the dogs started to bark to wake the town. More lights turned on and people hurried out with their coats on. They wondered what was going on. Mr. Baker ran out of the house and joined the large group by the edge of town. His wife followed him As they realized it was the mail team with other dogs and Ashley they cheered. "Ashley!" her mother yelled as she ran toward the pack. The canines slowed as they reached the town and Ashley broke from the group. "Mommy!" she cried as her mother lifted her into her arms and hugged her tightly. Mr. Baker dashed foward to see his daughter. The dogs were being petted by everyone as the people chattered.
"How did they know where she was?" "They're heros!" "Oh her parents are so happy!" "She's a lucky girl!" were many of the things the humans said. The dogs shot happy expressions at each other as many hands tried to touch them. "Who found you honey?" Mrs. Baker asked. "It was Pirate." Ashley answered. "Thank you Pirate." Mr. Baker stroked the husky's neck.
Pirate smiled then the mayor spoke as he patted his head, "Good dog Pirate." Cheers went up again. Ashley was quickly rushed home to be checked by the doctor. As people headed home, the team walked toward the shed.
***
Once Ashley was asleep Pirate snuck out of the house to the shed. The fire's embers were dieing as the team were speaking with each other. Pirate entered the shed and everyone was quiet. He looked at each of them. "Thanks guys." he said.
Kirby smiled. "Your welcome." Ralph grinned as his tail wagged.
"You should be thanking Kaltag. He was the one that got us up." Kodi spoke as he raised his head from the floor by Dusty.
Pirate chuckled. "I'll be sure to do that. Now get some rest, you guys deserve it." Pirate left the shed and started for Kaltag's home.
In a few minutes he was on the porch and had pawed the door. From inside Kaltag rose to his feet and trotted out of the doggy flap by the back door. He walked to the front of the house where the handsome husky stood. "Well hello there." Kaltag spoke.
Pirate wheeled around slowly as his leg was still hurting some. He trotted down the steps so he could face Kaltag better. "Hey thanks for coming after me. I realized it was a stupid mistake to go alone." Kaltag chuckled.
"I was wondering how your mother was." Kaltag looked sheepish and Pirate chuckled before he shot him a questioning look.
"Why do you want to know?"
Kaltag gave a sigh. "Are you that blind? I wouldn't be leading the search party if it wasn't true." Pirate thought about it for a minute before he realized Kaltag was his father.
"I'm sorry Dad but...Mom died during giving birth to her 2nd litter. She was bred to some champion and I don't believe any of the pups survived." Pirate looked up at the sky then back at Kaltag.
Kaltag sighed. He knew it was coming. Pirate's mother was easily stressed at times but he wished he could have seen that blaze red husky with one black ear again before she departed. Kaltag looked Pirate in the eyes. Pirate had his mother's eyes. Dark blue that gave the impression you were always up to something. "I'll see you tomorrow morning. Night Pirate." Kaltag spoke and gave his son a smile before trotting to the back side of the house again. Pirate smiled and watched as the tan husky disappeared from his sight.
"Best get home. Ashley will be worried when she notices I'm not there." Pirate slowly trotted home. When he entered the house he made his movement as quiet as he could as he made his way to Ashley's room. Once there Pirate gracefully hopped onto her bed and laid down leaning against Ashley's back. He thought back to where Ashley was speaking of guardian angels. "Maybe I'm her's." He laid his head down with a smile.
Pirate, Shasta, & Ashley-(c)Jahara