CHAPTER 1

                                                         Shadow Creek

I climbed higher as the tree branches whipped in my face.  As I got to the top the world seemed to disappear before my blue eyes, only the gleam of the sun appeared. I wiped my black hair out of my eyes, I sat there for a minute thinking of what it would be like if my mom was still here and how I would not be at my aunt and uncle’s house out in the woods in Alaska. My mom died in an automobile accident two years ago. I climbed down the tree, my long black hair still in my face. I heard the animals scattering in the woods. I walked a little farther and then stopped and looked one more time at the large patch of woods. It had rained earlier and my long jeans were wet and covered with snow. I got in the house leaving my wet leather boots at the door.  Then, I went up the stairs and changed clothes. I walked back down the stairs and ate a turkey sandwich.  I went and sat down on the couch I looked at the clock it was eight I turned on the TV and watched some TV then I went up stairs and went to bed. I woke up to a sunny morning the bird were in the trees singing and having a good time. I got dressed and went down stairs to eat some breakfast I then went out side. I walked father in the woods the raccoons running across my path. I walked till I got to the snow covered tree I had climbed yesterday then I herd a heart wrenching yelp of pain I spun around fast I ran threw the woods still hearing the yelps of terror. I ran and ran until I found a little creek the sound was really loud now and then I saw it a small black wolf. I saw only the wolf then I saw the wolf’s paw clenched tight in the grip of a bear trap. I ran over and not thinking that it was full grown wolf. I ran over then I started pulling the bear trap open. Finally I got her paw out of the death trap. The wolf was bleeding badly I took my scarf off and wrapped the paw with it. I looked at the wolf some more I saw that it was a small female wolf mostly dark grey. I left her by the creek and ran all the way back to the house I got some water and some dog bowls from my germen shepherd I had when I was seven I was fourteen now I got some turkey from the fridge and ran back to the woods when I got there she was asleep I put her food and water down and then I sat by her I ran my fingers through her soft hair then I got up I had never seen this part of the woods it was like magic. I need to find her a name then I looked at her she looked like a shadow that is it Shadow. Do you like that girl? Shadow popped up her head. Ok then Shadow I will see you tomorrow. 

When I woke I  felt the sun beating down on me it was very hot, not like a normal Alaskan day. I got up got dressed and a went down stairs and I looked in the fringe I saw some milk and some left over spaghetti I looked some more. There we go I saw some ham left from two or three weeks ago and I new my aunt forgot to throw it away. I ran out side I saw the huge tree and then I saw the creek. I ran over to the creek and looked around I did not see Shadow. I looked behind the huge rocks and in the bushes. Then I saw her she was limping my way. There you are silly I got you some food. If you are going to be my dog you need a collar. Then I raced past her and got on my bike and went down the dirt road.  Dust was dancing around like it was at a party I finally got to the pet store there was a bright yellow sign on the front that said “Peppy Pets”.  I walked in and saw a pretty white dog hello what is your name I said cheerfully then patted the dogs head and walked by it, I went to the collars blue, yellow, green, black, and white.  I looked hard then I looked at the green collar I picked it up. I looked at the sizes small, medium, large, xlarge. Shadows neck was quite big, so xlarge would do. The collar was so big I could put it on my head and it would fall right to my neck. I walked to the counter the man looked at me what in the world is that collar for a bear? No a wol… I mean a Great Dane. Where did you get one of those. I don’t have time to talk. I put the money on the counter and ran out side. I lived in Alaska so when it was hot it was amazing. I have always wanted a dog, but not a wolf. I had read about sled dogs before. I wonder if Shadow could do that? I rode back to the house and got some more ham. I walked over to where she was at I reached over to put it on OUCH! She had bit me, so I guess we have some trust issues to work out. I remembered about the local pet shop would you want a friend Shadow? Ok wait and I will be back in a minute. I ran inside I knew how much trouble I could get into from keeping a wolf and going and buying another dog. I got some money and got on my bike again. I wondered if Shadow would like a husky friend or a malamute friend or wither to get a male or female. Ok so maybe I don’t know it all right now. I went to the library instead. I need to study more on what to get before I bring home another dog for Shadow. Lets see huskies...  huskies … huskies ok their they are. I read the front cover All about Huskies. I opened it to chapter 3. Most huskies are dominate and need a lot of exercise and room, but they are excellent playmates. Maybe I could build a fence that way they could both have room. I have lots of wood and wire. Now about malamutes. Ok they look a lot bigger and more aggressive. So huskies it is, I hope shadow will like it. I rode my bike to the pet store. I walked in, I looked around but I did not see any dogs or puppies. I went up to the same man and said do you have any dogs for adoption. Come here kid their in the back. I followed the man down a dark hall way, I heard all the hopeful barks and hopeful faces. The first puppy I saw was a brown Chihuahua I did not even waste my time. The man suddenly turned around and said what are you looking for. I calmly said a husky, I saw the mans face light up. One husky said the man, spiting a little on my face. Yes I said stepping back a little. O-boy said the man ok kid listen we have one husky for $499 but he came to the shelter with his sister. I love those two huskies like they were mine but I cant keep them. Listen I will let you have them for free but you have to take them both. I look around where are they he took me to the end of the hallway in the back room. It read in big words on the door “THE SLEEP ROOM” I did not know what it meant so I asked. He told me that they were to be put to sleep tomorrow. I looked at him in horror. He took me to the last cage where a small white female lay in the back with a grey rather big male. Their spayed and neutered and have all their shots. The man looked hopeful. I smiled and said ok I will take them. But I have to build a fence first. The man looked at me and I looked at him. I have all the stuff for it I just need help. Ok kid said the man I want to help because if these two are here tomorrow they are sure to be put to sleep. We both walked back, I said to break the silence my name is Sam then he turned and said I am Jesse. When we got there it was just 9:23 we had all day. So we grabbed some wood and wire and began to work. By 6:00 we had all the poles in the ground and by 8:00 we had all the wire around it. I did not have to worry about putting shadow in the pen because we build it around her. She at first got up and got some water I noticed that her foot was better. Jesse and I walked back to the pet store. I look around and picked out a blue collar and leash and a collar and leash. I went to the back and got out the female white husky she was a pretty girl I put a collar and leash on her and then handed her to Jesse. I then went back and got the male. The both looked stunning; we took them to my house and put them in a shed. I closed the shed door and told Jesse bye. It was dark so I went up stairs and got ready for bed then I went to the closet and got a nice blanket for them. I did not like to call dogs them. I had gone to summer camp and learned some words in Japanese. They needed names the girl is white and small so we can call her Shiro it means white, and the boy will be Tsuyoi for strong in Japanese. They both looked at the shed like I can’t live in here. I went up stairs and went to sleep. When I woke up I went to the fringe to get some dog food I had 4 more bowls. I filled them and let shadow eat in the big pen and Shiro and Tsuyoi eat in the shed after they were done eating and drinking I put the leashes on Shiro and Tsuyoi. I walked to Shadows pen and tied Shiro on the outside. I grabbed Tsuyoi and drug him in the pen. At first he and Shadow were wagging their tails but I guess Tsuyoi sniffed her wrong or offended her and she bit him and held him down. I screamed Shadow stop. To my surprise Shadow did just that she got off and walked away. Shadow must think I am alpha male I thought to myself. Now to let Shiro in, I know that Shadow can fight but I wandered about Shiro. Now was the moment to see who was the alpha female. It only lasted two seconds. Almost right the time Shiro got to Shadow they fought and let me tell you Shiro fought as good as Shadow. They ran around each other going at their necks. Shiro fought more like a fox than a dog, quick and sneaky. But then it turned into a real fight not so much of a who is the boss fight so I commanded shadow off. I remembered about rain where would they go? So then I went over to my old dog’s house I took it in the pen. The first ones to get to it were Shadow and Shiro, Tsuyoi did not even care. Shadow gave one mean look and there went another fight I yelled Shadow off. Shadow got off and went in the dog house with a ha ha you lose kind of look. I knew this would be a problem so I went to the pet store and bout two more dog houses. Then I came back home I ran inside I shut the door so hard that shadow’s collar fell to the floor, I remembered her obeying me and she knew I was the leader. I wandered if she would let me put the collar on her. I went outside and I went to put it on her and I was waiting for the pain but nothing happened she let me put it on her.

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It had been three weeks and only four fights since I got Shiro and Tsuyoi. I went up stairs and got on the computer I was looking around about huskies and found a husky sled site. I found out about sleds and sled dog booties. I had all the time the money and all I needed was six more dogs a sled and sled dog equipment. I looked online and ordered a sled, eighteen dog booties, and nine harnesses. Now I needed six more dogs, I ran to the pet store, because Tsuyoi thought my bike tire looked tasty.  When I got there I saw Jesse ordering around merchandise. I went up to him and asked if he had any more huskies. He said we have four hybrids right now, I went down the same dark hallway and their I saw four lean hybrid dogs barking with excitement. One was a red and white female she was not big but was mean actually the only dog that might beat Shadow in a fight. Then their was a tan male Chinook wolf, a black and white female hybrid and a scrawny rather shy grey and black wolf husky in the back. I went to Jesse I want them all, he looked surprised at me. I got a 4 collars for them. I will name the wolf husky Scrawny. I will name the red and white female Reni and name the black and white one Angel. Finally the Chinook I will call Sundance. I went ahead and got two more collars’s and a shelter for thim. There was no fighting until the day Toboe showed up. I ordered Toboe and Prince from a full breed born to race kennel. Reni and scrawny are usually peaceful but Toboe could make a rabbit mad. First time I put him in the pin everyone but Shadow jumped on him. But he would even go up against eight dogs. Shadow was usually all with the lets jump on them and eat them but the only problem was she had a crush on him. Angel liked him too but did not show it.

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I got all of the supplies today , I got Toboe out first and harnessed him up and put him at lead and knowing Shadow and Angel liked him I put thim behind him. Then Shiro and Tsuyoi and behind them Reni and Scrawny then last the wheel dogs Prince and Sundance. Prince was a good handsome dog I planned to breed with Reni and planned to breed Toboe with Shadow even though it would make Angel mad. I got the sled ready and I knew I could trust Toboe to not get us lost. I yelled and off they went running with there mouth open as if to catch the air. I felt like I was flying until we hit a rock. The sled tipped over and we sled across the snow and Toboe just kept going but Shadow and the others were trying to stop. Shadow tried with all her strength but Toboe was strong, as Shadow was being pulled across the ground she thought of how to get Toboe to stop. She paused then with a quick snap she bit Toboe’s leg. Toboe yelped with pain he stopped and then Shadow came over to me. I could feel her muzzle against me face I felt warm my body hurt. Shadow helped me get back on the sled. I heard a howl, what is she doing? I thought. I felt the sled move we were going home. Home Shadow I said aloud. Shadow howled again I felt the sled get faster and faster. Then I realized Shadow was a true lead dog. They  finally got back to the house. I let all the dogs go in the house with me. My aunt and uncle were off for about a year in California. I will let them sleep in my room, we all went up stairs. When I woke up I felt warm and could not get up, I looked around. Six fluffy balls lay around and on top of me. Eight? I had seven dogs one two three four five six seven eight where is nine. My door had claw marks on it and the door handle had been chewed off and was laying on the floor. Lets see Shiro, Toboe, Shadow, Angel, Scrawny, Reni, Sundance, Prince… oh no. Where is Tsuyoi? I ran down stairs. I looked around pillows everywhere it looked like it was snowing. The fringe looked like a robber went through it and I felt worried about if he got out of the house. I ran all over the house the last place I went to was the bathroom. Tsuyoi was laying there with toilet paper everywhere. He got into the tooth paste and shredded the curtains and ate most of the food. So I took him by his collar and took him outside to the pen, I feed them then began to clean up. I felt like taking Shadow to show her to Jesse. Jesse did not know about shadow and I did not want to show him in the first place because he might tell. I hooked Shadow, Shiro, and Tsuyoi to the sled and went off down the road. They were strong dogs they took me all the way to the pet store. I saw Jesse he was happy to see Shiro and Tsuyoi. I told him about Shadow and how I got her and I went to the back down the hallway to look at dogs. The only dog was the Chihuahua and Jesse said that a woman was coming to adopt it today. I went to the sleep room I walked in I saw the most beautiful dog ever. I ran to Jesse and asked what kind of dog is that? He told me that it was a Greenland dog a great sled dog breed, and that he came from a top sled race that told him he was no good for racing anymore. Are you sure you want him he is a lot to handle. More than Tsuyoi? I asked. No said Jesse. Ok I hooked him by Shadow. I will call you Sable, he licked Shadows head she was getting annoyed. I could tell he liked her but she did not care. I got him home feed them and went to sleep I woke up and Sable and Toboe where after Shadow she was yapping and running away but I would to if they were trying to eat my tail. I went to the computer and moved the books away from the mouse I had been studying about fourteen dog sled team. Most of my dogs where trained but I needed more to be trained if I got more as pups I could let them train to be good dogs. I went to the internet I needed some good lead dogs maybe two for now. I went to DogFinder.com. I had been learning a lot about a hybrid breeds and I wanted some of those I looked them up at a local rescue. I got an appointment for today to visit and look at two of their puppies. I went out and fed all the dogs and got in my golf cart and drove down the road. I pulled into the rescue. I was going to go to see a wolf/german shepherd and a husky/wolf puppy. I went up to a round lady at the front desk she smiled at me. I walked over and told her about my appointment for today. The lady had on a bright yellow dress with a fancy gold hat. She was a stout short lady. We walked down the hallway going by several wolf hybrids. The woman lead me to another room and in it was a very big brown and black wolf faced puppy and a bright red, grey and white. They both looked at me when I cam in the room I spent some time with them then gave them the money they told me they would be back with their papers and leashes and told me to go back to the front room. I started back down the hallway then I herd very sad, angry, and scared all at the same time. Then I saw a un-wolf like puppy being dragged down the hallway he wined and struggled. I ran over to the man right before they went in the other room. I said loudly “Stop” the man turned around I managed to mutter out what are you doing with him. The man looked at the dog that was quit now he looked at me and said. This dogs expiration date has ended kid. I said before thinking I’ll take him. The man looked at the dog and looked at me then said kid this dog is wild and is barely a pet at all he said with a surprised look. I got on my knees and looked at him, he licked my fingers then I said ahhh your going to eat me aren’t you boy you vicious beast I said with a smile.  I stood up and took the leash I looked at the puppy the man started to turn, wait I said what is he? The man turned around, what the dog. I shook my head up and down, he looked at it and said go to the front desk they can tell. I went to the front they had told me that I will call Daisy and Mae and will call the mix Buddy.