Steele's Career As A Wheel Dog
by SnowPupAleu

'Steele wake up, tomorrow we have the 'Snowy Grand Prix' so we should get training, I've rounded up the rest of the team they're waiting outside for us.' Said Gunner Kasen,

Steele wearily got up and went outside, he was greeted with barks and yips of anticipation.

'First off we'll do laps' Steele commanded them, so the all dogs including Balto lined up. 'On my bark do 2 laps around the town and-' Steele stopped in mid scentence when he heard Balto being called aside, Steele followed Balto to see what's going on. 'Balto, youv'e been a great wheel-dog these last couple of races, but today I was wondering if you could swap places with Steele for today and see how you go as a lead dog today eh boy?', both Balto and Steele were shocked with what they heard, 'Oh Steele good thing that you've showed up, you heared what I told Balto right?, well just for today I'm putting you in wheel-dog .' For the second time today Steele winced at the thought of being a wheel-dog , so he barked in objection, and to make matters worse the rest of the team started running because they thought it was the signal to start , Gunner told Steele to go with the rest of the pack coz he was the wheel-dog for today.

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The whole team (except Balto coz he stayed back) came back exhausted and panting. After they all had a drink they were ready to do sled work.

Gunner hooked Steele up first 'uh Balto do you think you could give me some tips on being a wheel-dog?' Steele asked 'sure, firstly as soon as you get the command to run, you run as fast as you can so the sled doesn't catch up with you , but don't run like that for the whole race or you won't have any energy left for the rest of the race.' Balto told him and trotted up to the head of the team. The order of the dogs went :

Balto, Star ,Kaltag, Nikki, Roxo,Smudger,Rex, Patch and lastly Steele.

'Oh and Steele, called Balto proudly 'try not to trip over at all!'

'MUSH' Gunner yelled, Balto leaped into a flying leading the others into the woods, balto glanced back at steele who was trying as hard as he could to not trip over , but as he was trying not to trip he did making the whole team go with him.

'Steele why did you do that?' Roxo snarled 'Steele now do you see why you shouldn't trip over?' Balto said angrily

'it wasn't my fault' Steele said blushing out of the corner of Steele's eye he saw Gunner shaking his head slowly. The team went back to town with Steele constantly tripping over himself 'if the word gets out' he thought 'I'll be teased for the rest of my life' Steele thought ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'You're joking Roxo, please tell me you're joking!' Sobo laughed 'I wish I was, he tripped over about 6 times and that was only on the way back!' Roxo declared and a HUGE roar of laughter erupted from the boiler room Steele stayed with Gunner and lay down on the floor.

'So what's the news Gunner ?' asked Steele's owner ' well it's about Steele, today we put him in wheel-dog and he couldn't stop tripping over, I'm worried' 'I think Balto did a better job in lead then Steele ever has!' Gunner wispered so Steele wouldn't hear him 'well you could always get a junior in his place ' Steele's owner said thoughtfully 'no. it wouldn't have the same effect, we can only hope for the best tomorrow...'

Roxo, Smudger.Rex, patch and sobo are my charactors and can only be used with my permission! laura_grunsell@yahoo.com.au is my e-mail adress!