I dashed through the fresh, Alaskan snow, nose pointed toward the bright, blue sky. The sun shone down upon the team, Anish, and I and glinted on the ice. It was about 5 below zero, the perfect temperature for an Iditorard journey.
"Whoah, Kali!" Anish called from behind the dog sled. I soon had the team brought to a stop underneath a tall grove of pine trees, Anish unhitched us from the sled and cooked salmon for our pleasure. I guzzled my portion down and walked over to Anish, who was now boiling snow in his metal bucket. "Who's my good boy?" "Huh?" cooed Anish as I barked with excitement and snuggled my head into his lap. Anish smiled and lay down on an ice chunk, I cuddled by his side and stared up at the sky. I was a lucky dog. Nobody could tell, but I was smiling too.

TO BE CONTINUED...