In a world of anthro dogs, a Chihuahua ends up in the Iditarod race as he attempts to warn one of the racers about a coming attempt on his life.

Today’s story is the second and final part of “Northern Delights” by Ian Madison Keller, who wrote the Changing Bodies series published by Fanged Fiction and edited Shark Week published Rainbow Dog Books, and you can find more of his stories on madisonkeller.net.

Last time, Rafael the Chihuahua was thwarted in his attempts to warn Wang Wei by a group of bullies that knocked him out and put him in racer Mae’s pack. They were close to reaching the checkpoint where Rafael will find out if they have gotten there in time to warn Wang Wei.

You’re listening to The Voice of Dog. I’m Khaki, your faithful fireside companion,

and Today’s story

is the second and final part of

“Northern Delights”

by Ian Madison Keller,

who wrote the Changing Bodies series published by Fanged Fiction

and edited Shark Week

published Rainbow Dog Books,

and you can find more of his stories

on madisonkeller.net.

Last time, Rafael the Chihuahua was thwarted in his attempts

to warn Wang Wei by a group of bullies that knocked him out and put him in racer Mae’s pack.

They were close to reaching the checkpoint where Rafael will find out if they have gotten there in time to warn Wang Wei.

Please enjoy “Northern Delights”

by Ian Madison Keller, Part 2 of 2

Rafael was woken by another dog barking a greeting to Mae.

He uncurled from his ball and popped his nose out of the backpack.

The cold crisp air burned his lungs.

The air smelled of wet dogs,

wood smoke, and dawn.

He shivered and pulled his head back in.

He unzipped his coat and pressed the gel pack to his muzzle until he was warmed up,

then tucked the pack back against his chest.

"Where am I in the standings?" He overheard Mae say.

"Not too bad," an unfamiliar dog replied.

"You're the eighth dog to check in from your time group.

Won't know your overall standing until I radio in your time."

"You going to press on?"

the other dog asked Mae.

"Not yet. I need a few hours of sleep before I continue,"

Mae said and began taking off the backpack.

Rafael ducked back out of sight, suddenly conscious of being seen.

He didn't want his presence here to get Mae in trouble, or to be forcibly sent back to Anchorage before he could save Wang Wei.

The backpack hit the ground with a thump and then he heard Mae fumbling with the opening.

She reached in a paw and grabbed him by the back of his pink coat,

pulling him out.

Rafael struggled against her grip as the cold air hit him.

"Don't worry, no one's watching,"

Mae whispered to him as she sat him down.

Rafael shook himself and then straightened his hat and coat.

His boots crunched on the snow as he spun about.

They were in an open field covered in an icy layer of snow.

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon in the distance, the light glittering and bright on the almost untouched expanse of snow.

A trail snaked away into the distance, disappearing into the trees near the horizon.

Two snowmobiles were lined up next to the poles of a suspended banner.

It read Welcome in big red letters.

Underneath in smaller black print was Skwentna Checkpoint.

A few dogs congregated next to the far pole holding up the banner.

A large fluffy Saint Bernard dog wore a red jacket with a white cross on the back,

first aid for the runners.

The rest of the crowd were huskies and malamutes.

A few wore backpacks and Rafael judged them to be other runners taking a break at the checkpoint.

A white, curly-tailed American Eskimo holding a clipboard

was walking away from him and Mae, headed towards the knot of dogs. The back of her jacket read volunteer in big yellow letters. "I'd talk to Kiska about your Chow," Mae said, bobbing her

head towards the retreating American Eskimo.

"She's one of the race coordinators. If Wang

Wei has come through here already,

she'll know." "And if he hasn't?"

Rafael shivered and tucked his tail between his legs.

He'd only been out of Mae's backpack for a few minutes and he was already getting cold.

"Then it means we beat him here.

here." Mae held out a paw.

"And then all you'll have to do is hang out here until he comes through,

tell him your piece, and then hitch a ride back with Kiska."

"Oh." Rafael dug the toe of his boot into the snow and ducked his head.

"I'm sorry about last night. I...

I..." Rafael took a deep breath.

He had begun to like Mae and the fact that she was mad at him had left a hard knot of dread in his stomach.

"I wanted to sound more traveled than I am, in order to impress you.

To tell the truth, I've lived in Phoenix my entire life.

This is the first time I've ever left Arizona.

I'm terrified, and cold, but it didn't excuse what I said last night.

I'm sorry." Without warning Mae dropped down next to him.

Her muzzle gaped open and her tail wagged furiously.

"I accept your apology.

apology." She pressed her nose up against his for a moment then stood back up,

brushing snow off her pants.

"You look cold. Hurry and go talk to Kiska and by the time you get back I should have my tent set up."

"Thanks," Rafael said, then took off after the white dog.

Her long strides meant that she'd reached the gathering of dogs by the time he was able to catch up to her.

She was already in conversation with them when Rafael came up behind her.

"Excuse me, Kiska?" he barked politely to get her attention.

Every dog in the huddle turned to stare down at him,

and as one their muzzles dropped open in surprise

and one ear each cocked back.

One of the huskies burst into riotous laughter

and Rafael belatedly recognized him as the dog that had tricked him back at the starting line.

Ingram. Rafael pointedly ignored him and addressed Kiska.

"I'm looking for this dog. His name is Wang Wei. He's a golden Chow.

Chow." Rafael fumbled with the zipper on his pocket for a moment,

the unfamiliar gloves and cold

making his normally dexterous paws clumsy.

Finally he prevailed and held up Wang Wei's photo,

doing his best to straighten it out.

His trip in Mae's backpack had left it rumpled and creased.

Kiska gaped at him, barely glancing at the picture.

"What kind of dog are you?

Are you a dog? And how did you get all the way out here?"

"Hitched a ride," Rafael responded. "And I'm a Chihuahua.

Chihuahua." When everyone stared at him blankly he continued.

"From Arizona." "Oh, my. You're a long way from home.

home." Kiska tutted. "Yes, and the faster I find this dog, the sooner I can get back to my nice, warm home." Rafael raised the picture higher, holding it in front of his face.

Around them the group of dogs broke apart, the huskies and malamutes gathered up their backpacks.

The medical Saint Bernard wandered off to greet two new dogs

arriving at the checkpoint.

"You just missed him.

He got here about an hour ago.

Just before the sun came up.

Stuck around long enough to check in, then took off again," Kiska said.

Rafael cursed and stuffed Wang Wei's photo back into his pocket.

"Thanks." He turned to go.

"Popular guy, that Chow,"

Kiska mused. "What do you mean?"

Rafael said, his hackles stiffening.

He'd known assassins were after Wang Wei, but his whole plan hinged on beating them to their target

and warning him of the danger.

"You're the second dog this morning to ask after him." Kiska shrugged.

"Anyway, if you came by air you're out of luck.

No airstrip at the Finger Lake checkpoint."

"I didn't. Um, can I ask who else asked you about him?"

Rafael shivered violently.

His gel pack was failing,

turning to a cooling lump in his coat

and the cold began to creep down through his hat and gloves. "It was," Kiska turned and pointed to a group of distant figures jogging along the trail.

Even as they watched, they disappeared into the trees beyond the meadow.

"Oh, they left without saying goodbye.

Anyway, one of that group.

group." Rafael growled and stomped his feet

in an attempt to warm up.

"Which one, specifically?"

"They all arrived in a clump,

and it was a bit of chaos, let me tell you.

you." Kiska cocked her head, her ears flicking as she thought.

"One of the huskies, I'm sure of it.

Was it Bernie? No. Oh, yes, it was Ingram!

Such a nice dog. He wanted to check on Wang Wei because it is his first race.

Ingram and his pack are seasoned runners,

you see. They told me they like to check up on first timers."

"Oh, that's nice of them," Rafael said,

but inside he was tensing up.

Nothing that Mae had said about Ingram pointed towards him being a good dog.

"Yes, it is." Kiska leaned down and cocked her head.

"I need to go check in these runners,

but you should go see the medic and make sure you don't have frost-bite.

You're not dressed properly for this weather.

weather." Rafael shivered harder and nodded.

Kiska bobbed her head in satisfaction and bounded off to greet the new dogs, who were now engaged in animated conversation with the medic.

Rafael turned and shuffled back to where he'd left Mae.

As promised, a colorful one-dog tent was set up

and Mae's curly tail was just disappearing through the zippered opening.

Rafael followed her inside.

Already inside the tent was significantly warmer than outside. Rafael hadn't realized just how much the slight breeze had been chilling him until he was out of it.

His shivering subsided some.

The tent was small, and Mae's fluffy husky body took up most of the space.

If Rafael had been any bigger, he wouldn't have fit.

Being this close to Mae he could feel the heat radiating from her,

and the scent of her made his tail wag involuntarily.

"Good news?" Mae asked him as she shook out a body-bag style sleeping bag that had been tied to the bottom of her pack.

Rafael shook his head.

"No, bad news and worse.

Wang Wei has come and gone already.

already." Mae unzipped the side of her bag in one smooth motion.

"So, I suppose next you’re going to ask me to take you with me to the next checkpoint.

checkpoint." Rafael shook his head.

"No. Kiska and the medic both have snowmobiles.

I'm sure if I explain to them the need they'll give me a lift.

I just came back to say goodbye and to ask you a question."

"Oh.” Mae blinked at him and he would have sworn she looked almost disappointed,

but no, he had to be wrong.

“So what’s your question?” Mae said, wriggling out of her coat.

The fur underneath was snow white and looked pleasantly soft.

Rafael caught himself wondering what it'd be like to cuddle up to that fur.

He cut that thought off and pushed it away.

"If I told you that Ingram was checking up on a first time runner,

to give advice to a less experienced dog,

what would you say?"

"I'd say you must have hit your head on something.

something." Mae flashed him a grin.

"Ingram is ruthlessly competitive.

He'd never willingly do anything to help a new racer.

Why?" "That's what I was afraid of.

of." Rafael grimaced and relayed what had happened.

"I'm afraid Ingram and his buddies might be the assassins after Wang Wei.

Wei." Mae opened her muzzle to argue with him, then shut it again.

Her face and ears flickered

through a variety of emotions,

obviously thinking through Rafael's accusation.

Finally she shook herself as if shaking off water. "No, I don't think so.

I think he was probably just upset that a first-time racer,

and a foreign breed dog at that,

beat him to the checkpoint.

checkpoint." Mae sighed and plopped down on her sleeping bag,

looking longingly at her pillow for a long moment before turning her attention back to Rafael.

"However, I wouldn't put it past him.

Give me a few minutes to pack back up and we'll head out."

"Mae, I appreciate the help you've given me so far, but get some sleep.

The snowmobiles--" "Aren't allowed on the trail the runners use.

They have to stay on the roads," Mae said, cutting him off.

"You wouldn't be able to meet up with Wang Wei until the Finger Lake Checkpoint, at the soonest, and Ingram could catch him long before then."

"How, if Wang Wei's the faster runner?"

"Fast isn't everything in the Iditarod," Mae said.

"It's about endurance.

endurance." While Mae packed back up her tent, Rafael went back to talk to Kiska.

By the time he was done explaining to her what he needed,

Mae had finished packing her bag. She jogged

over to them, her pack slung over one shoulder.

"I'm ready to go," Rafael told her,

while marveling at how fast she'd packed her backpack and how small of a bundle

her tent was once she'd taken it down and rolled it up.

Mae put the bag on the ground and Rafael crawled inside.

As they left Rafael heard Kiska call out to them,

"Mae, good luck!" "What was that about?" Mae huffed out as she jogged away.

"I took some of your advice," Rafael said, snuggling down into her spare clothes.

He stayed there until he was warm again,

then as much as he could he kept his head outside the bag to watch the scenery go by.

He'd never thought of snow as beautiful before.

Pictures he'd seen of snowy landscapes had seemed to him bleak and almost monochromatic. However, as he gazed about

it was the first word that popped into his mind.

Snow draped the trees in coats of white.

Flashes of blue and green pine-tree needles poked from beneath the snow.

In the distance snow-capped mountains dominated the distant horizon.

A rabbit startled by Mae's steps on the snow broke out of the bushes and hopped along in front of them for several moments before veering off back into the underbrush.

The sun never rose much above the horizon, which gave the sky a perpetual pink blush of dawn.

The sun glittered on the undisturbed snow and lit the surrounding trail

in an ever changing patchwork.

"This is part of the Northern Lights trail," Mae said to him during one of her running breaks.

"It’s one of my favorites."

"I can see why," Rafael replied with a genuine smile.

After several hours Rafael twisted around in the pack so he could talk to Mae easier

as well as to help watch the trail ahead of them.

They had a pleasant conversation, and Mae told him all about growing up in the backwoods of Alaska

and the fight she'd had when she'd announced her desire to be a runner like her father.

"What was the big deal?" Rafael asked.

"It wasn't--" she huffed, and sped up. "-

-feminine. They lamented that I'd never find a mate and get puppies of my own,

since I spent all my spare time running.

running." Rafael grimaced.

"I'm sorry," he said, and meant it.

"I understand how hard it can be when it feels like everyone is arranged against you."

"Because of your size?"

"There are other Chihuahuas on the force." Rafael sighed.

"But yes, we have to do more to prove ourselves than the bigger dogs.

When I was promoted to detective over a lot of larger dogs that had been there longer,

a few of my co-workers,

well, I think I already said enough about that.

that." Rafael fell silent.

The only sounds were Mae's harsh breathing and the crunch of her boots on the snow.

Somewhere in the distance a hawk cried.

"I feel like, if I can save my informant, and get this big bust, I'll prove them wrong,"

Rafael said finally.

One of Mae's paws reached back over her shoulder. Rafael grasped it,

sharing a moment of solidarity.

Rafael leaned forward, over Mae's shoulder, and licked Mae's cheek.

He knew hs blushing would have been visible through his short fur and was glad Mae couldn't see him.

"Mae, I--" Rafael began as he slid back into place, but Mae cut him off.

"There, up ahead!" Her paw pulled away, leaving him off balance.

"That's Ingram, I'm sure of it.

it." Rafael leaned to the side to see around the back of Mae's head.

Far in the distance stood a group of dogs.

They were off the main trail,

almost at the tree line.

Rafael could just make out the marks they'd made where they'd cut off the trail.

Three white and gray furred figures were chasing,

herding really, a fourth gold furred dog into the woods.

"His coat," Mae said in response to his unasked

question. "Ingram has been doing the race for years and has corporate sponsors.

I recognize the placement and colors of the patches.

patches." Mae sped up, her lope turning into a jog, and then a sprint.

Rafael thought Mae had been pushing the pace before,

and now he found out how wrong he'd been.

Snow flew from her boots. Rafael jounced around so much he had to throw his arms around Mae's neck

or risk flying from the pack.

As they reached the point where the dog's tracks left the path, Mae slowed down.

The other dogs had forded a path through the snow,

and Mae took advantage of the work they'd done by placing her feet in their paw-prints.

One thing that struck Rafael in Alaska was how still and silent it was.

Because of that, when there was a sound it seemed louder than it should have been

and it carried. Between the crunches of Mae's boots on the snow came a dull thwack.

It took Rafael a moment to register the sounds as fists

connecting with flesh.

Rafael drew in a hissing breath.

"Hurry," he whispered as they neared the trees.

Mae ducked under a low-hanging branch sending a

small flurry of snow spraying down on Rafael's head.

He brushed it off while Mae stopped and knelt down to pull off her backpack.

The area underneath the trees was relatively clear of snow

and Rafael emerged from the pack onto a soft bed of fallen pine needles.

He was carrying Mae's flare gun gripped in both paws.

Mae left her pack and jogged off into the trees.

Rafael did his best to keep up with his short legs.

He didn't dare lose Mae in this forest.

The way sound echoed was eerie,

and he wasn't sure he'd be able to find Mae if he lost her, even if she was calling to him.

Despite the fact that she was at least three times larger than him,

Mae passed with barely a sound,

like a ghost. Rafael felt like an elephant blundering along behind her.

He must have stepped on every twig, branch, pine-cone, and crunchy leaf

between him and their goal.

Thankfully it seemed Ingram and his pack were too involved in what they were doing to Wang Wei

to notice. Mae stopped, held up a paw and pointed.

Rafael stepped up next to her and peered through the

underbrush. Ingram and his pack had Wang Wei surrounded and were pounding on him.

Wang Wei had curled into a ball, his front paws over his face. Blood streaked Wang Wei's golden coat, and he whimpered in pain as the other dogs hit.

As they watched Ingram picked up a tire iron

which Rafael hadn't noticed previously lying by his feet.

Ingram lifted it above his head, ready to strike.

Rafael took a big breath, lifted the flare gun,

and then stepped forward shouting, "Stop, police!"

Ingram's head snapped up and everyone stopped moving.

In the sudden silence, the pop and hiss of the flare-gun going off was deafeningly loud.

The flare shot up from Rafael's outstretched paws to burst above the trees in a flash of red.

Ingram whirled to face Rafael, snarling,

the tire iron still held above his head.

Before Rafael could react Ingram charged towards him.

His two pack buddies turned to face him, leaving off their attack on Wang Wei,

but otherwise made no move to help.

"I said stop!" Rafael dropped the now empty gun and scrambled back.

Ingram swung at him.

Rafael darted to the side and dropped to all fours.

The tire iron whistled overhead,

missing Rafael's head by mere inches.

He felt it brush the tip of his pointy ears

and realized that at some point he must have lost his hat.

Again. Mae snarled and jumped over Rafael's head.

She wrapped a paw around Ingram's arm,

and with her other one began trying to wrestle the tire iron out of his grip.

"Mae, what're you doing?"

Ingram growled at her.

"Stopping you from making a big mistake, Ingram,"

Mae growled back.

Rafael was trapped underneath,

darting this way and that between the bigger dogs while trying to avoid being stepped on.

From his left came a yelp of pain and a deep growl.

Rafael took a chance and glanced that direction to see that Wang Wei had risen

and taking advantage of his tormentors’ distraction,

pounced on them from behind.

Despite the fact that he was injured and outnumbered,

it looked like Wang Wei had Ingram's pack mates taken care of.

He was so engrossed in watching Wang Wei thrash the two huskies that he lost track of feet.

A boot stomped down and caught the tip of his tail.

Rafael yelped and reacted on instinct, twisting around and sinking his teeth into the owner's leg.

Only after did he think to check who he'd bitten.

He tried to glance up, but all he could see were parkas and pants.

Instead he inhaled deeply.

The scent was similar to Mae's, but not her. He ground his mouth down harder, biting deeply into Ingram's leg.

He tasted blood. Ingram lifted his leg, prepared to stomp.

The move jerked Rafael's head

and pulled him up.

He clawed at Ingram's boot with his front paws,

trying to pull his lower body up.

Ingram stomped into the snow.

The boot came down hard on Rafael's left leg and tail, and he had to grit his teeth to keep from crying out and releasing Ingram. His leg throbbed; he couldn't tell if it was broken or not,

but the pain was incredible.

His vision wavered as Ingram lifted his foot.

Rafael's flailing front paws connected with Ingram's leg.

He dug in his claws, clinging tight,

opened his jaw, and pulled himself up Ingram's calf.

He waited until Ingram stomped down again,

catching nothing but snow and pine needles,

then bit down as hard as he could right at the back bend of Ingram's knee.

The big dog howled and Rafael's worldview turned into a falling jumble of fur, snow, and leaf litter.

Next thing he knew he was buried under a pile of fur

and suffocating under Ingram's bulk.

By the time he crawled free Mae had Ingram on his stomach,

her knee in his back and one arm around his neck.

Wang Wei had Ingram's two pals,

one massive paw holding each of them face-first against the ground. Mae yipped with excitement when she saw him.

"Are you alright?"

Rafael rolled over and gently prodded his leg. He winced in pain.

Almost certainly broken.

"I'm alive," he said, flopping over to his back and panting.

"We saved Wang Wei, that's what counts."

"Detective Ferreira!" Wang Wei barked.

Only Rafael's long acquaintance with the big dog allowed him to hear the relief and thanks in Wang Wei's voice.

"To say I'm shocked to see you would be an understatement.

understatement." Rafael turned his head and gave Wang Wei a tired smile.

"Hah. By the way, your life is in danger."

In response Wang Wei let out a rumbling basso laugh

that shook snow from the trees above them. Mae frowned at Wang Wei then turned her gaze back to Rafael.

"Raffie, I thought you were a better shot with a gun than that.

What happened back there?"

Rafael wrinkled his nose.

He hated being called by a nickname,

but then again he owed Mae a huge debt of gratitude.

So instead he just replied. "I didn't miss.

miss." She shook her head and turned her attention back to Ingram lying prone under her.

"And you, Ingram! What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking I was broke and needed the money," Ingram growled back as he struggled against her.

The roar of snowmobiles drowned out the rest of Ingram's reply.

Probably for the best.

Rafael smiled widely and shouted,

"Cavalry is here." After what felt like hours to Rafael and his throbbing leg, but was probably more like fifteen minutes,

Kiska, riding double with the medical Saint Bernard

from Skwentna station,

roared up along with a string of local police dogs.

It took Rafael quite a while to explain what had happened and why he was here.

But eventually, after repeatedly showing them his badge

and they’d made a call in to his

supervisor in Arizona ---

that made Rafael wince but there was no help for it ---

the local police agreed to arrest Ingram and his pack members on charges of attempted murder.

Rafael's story was confirmed again when they searched the dogs and found an unregistered .22 in Ingram's pocket

along with Wang Wei's picture,

on the back of which was written

Introduce him to the man in black

in big, block letters.

The medic splinted Rafael's leg and loaded him onto a stretcher attached to the back of one of the snowmobiles,

layering him in blankets.

Mae came up as they were strapping him down.

She leaned over him and gave him a long hug,

then pulled away and planted a kiss on him, muzzle to muzzle.

It was hard to wag his tail, buried as it was, but Rafael tried.

Mae was brave, determined, and beautiful.

This morning he'd have said he'd never have a shot at a girl like her,

yet here she was.

Rafael returned the kiss with gusto.

Mae was a fantastic kisser,

sensuous, slow, and teasing.

When she pulled away she did so slowly,

giving the tip of his nose a lick as she did.

She stood and stepped away as the snowmobile roared to life.

Rafael twisted to watch her face as they pulled away.

"Mae!" he yelled over the rumble of the engine.

She waved and blew him a kiss. # Part 6

Rafael was kept in the hospital overnight for observation.

They said along with his broken leg

he was suffering from mild hypothermia and dehydration.

His broken leg laid on the bed entombed in a thick cast.

They'd wrapped him in warm blankets and made him drink what felt like gallons of hot tea.

Over the nurses protestations that he needed sleep,

Rafael made them turn on the television to show news of the race.

A lot of the coverage was about the surprise arrest of race darling Ingram Yap,

charged with the attempted murder of another racer.

They praised the quick thinking of an out-of-town detective with saving the victim's life,

but gave no mention of Mae's assistance.

Rafael flipped the television off in irritation.

Early the next morning the call he'd been expecting came.

Rafael gulped, steeled himself, and took the portable hand-set from the nurse.

"Good morning, Captain," Rafael said with false cheer.

He was helped along by the drugs for the pain, which buoyed him in a cloud of hazy euphoria.

"Lieutenant Ferreira,

good work up there," the Captain replied.

Rafael pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it for a moment before putting it back.

"Excuse me?" He'd been sure he'd lost his job.

After all, he'd gone haring off to Alaska, out of his jurisdiction without permission or backup,

and he'd dragged civilians into the mess to boot.

"Captain, I'm just a detective, not a -

-" The Captain cut him off with a woof.

"As of now you are.

You just made Lieutenant and earned yourself a nice bonus to go with it.

Thanks to you, Wang Wei has agreed to turn state's witness.

Last night we arrested dogs we've been after for years,

but never been able to get charges to stick.

Well, they won't be able to weasel out of this one."

"Wang Wei, is he alright?

I lost track of him when the medics took me away."

"He's fine. A little bruised up, but fine.

He's in protective custody now.

Guarded round the clock by a team of our finest."

"Thank the lord." Rafael blew out a breath in relief.

"Indeed." There was a muffled sound; then the Captain returned to the line.

"They tell me you'll be out of the hospital by this afternoon.

I'll arrange your return flights and have someone pick you up at the airport in Phoenix.

Phoenix." Rafael licked his chops.

Last night he'd been making plans for what to do when he was fired.

Now he was looking at a promotion and a raise, along with a big bonus and status as hero of the department.

He thought of Mae and their journey of the last two days.

"Sir, that's not necessary.

necessary." He took a deep breath,

realizing his paws were shaking.

He tightened his grip on the phone.

"I quit." Dead silence came through the other end of the line.

"I quit," Rafael repeated with finality.

A weight lifted from his shoulders, a burden he hadn't realized he'd been carrying until it was gone.

"I'm staying in Alaska.

Alaska." He hung up the phone before his boss could say anything else.

Rafael spent the rest of the morning on the phone ordering plane tickets, hotel rooms,

and finally calling movers to pack up his apartment in Phoenix.

When the doctors gave him the all clear that afternoon

he hopped in a cab

to his first destination,

awkwardly navigating the snow with his crutches.

By the end of the week he was getting around on the crutches like a pro

and easily descended the stairs off the plane in Nome with little problem.

Despite the snow and blowing wind he was pleasantly warm in his new weather-appropriate outdoor gear.

He'd spent the week eagerly following the runner's progress in the news,

easy to do as he'd discovered that the race seemed to be playing on every television in the state of Alaska.

He wasn't sure exactly when Mae was set to finish,

but the predictions had her coming in later that day.

Rafael hobbled over to join the crowd around the Burled Arch,

a great wooden thing that marked the official end of the race.

The snow around the wooden arch was packed down from so many boots on it.

The winner along with five others had come in yesterday, and from what he'd seen on the news, hundreds of dogs had come out to cheer.

The crowd today was much smaller,

about two dozen dogs all told,

bundled up against the cold.

Some held banners for various racers.

Rafael left his rolled up

in his backpack for now.

Once he got it out, he'd be

unable to use his crutches.

A cry went up from those closer to the arch.

Rafael leaned forward and squinted.

A figure appeared in the distance, a speck against the snow.

Rafael would recognize that form anywhere.

He planted his crutches and pulled his banner out of the side pocket of his bag.

It seemed to take ages.

The running dot grew steadily larger,

eventually resolving into Mae's lithe form.

Her tongue hung out as she panted, her breath steaming in the cold air.

She looked thinner than she had when

last Rafael saw her,

her eyes sunken in fatigue,

but a large grin split her muzzle and her eyes sparkled with joy.

Rafael unfurled the vinyl banner.

He lifted it by the sticks at either end and spread it out high above his head.

Of course, high above Rafael's head

meant chest height to the rest of the crowd,

but he was confident Mae would see it.

Mae the Champion was printed on it in bright red text.

Mae sprinted the last hundred yards to the arch, and the crowd roared as she passed underneath.

Rafael barked Mae's name along with them, so excited he wanted to jump up and down.

Instead he settled for waving the banner

about above his head and wagging his tail at supersonic speed.

"Rafael!" Mae whooped.

She ran right past the race officials who had come up to greet her and scooped Rafael up into a tight hug. Rafael's

crutches and his banner went clattering down onto the snow, but he didn't care.

He hugged Mae back fiercely.

The crowd tittered.

Rafael ignored them.

After a moment Mae set him down.

Rafael balanced precariously on one leg, doing his best not to put weight on his cast while

Mae retrieved his crutches with a sheepish open-mouthed grin.

Once he was steady again he slung off his backpack and rooted around inside until he found the gift he'd gotten for her.

Mae crouched down next to him, her head tilted curiously.

"For you." He pulled out the statue and presented it with a little flourish. Mae laughed and covered her muzzle with her paws, eyes shining with mirth as she looked down at the little ceramic cactus

decorated with sparkly snow.

She plucked it from him and pecked him on the cheek.

"It's perfect." "Congratulations on the big finish. Seventh place!"

Rafael grinned and tried to hide his blush, but he knew his ears betrayed him.

"Thank you. I'm surprised to see you here.

I thought you'd rush back to warm Arizona

as soon as you got the chance.

chance." Mae's tail wagged.

Her scent filled his nose, she smelled of ice, pine

trees, and dirt. He'd never smelled anything more delightful.

Snow swirled around them, the chill breeze ruffling Rafael's ears.

His breath came out in little puffs and he blinked icicles from his lashes.

Rafael reached over and placed a paw in hers, next to the cactus statue.

"Why would I want to leave paradise?"

This was the second and final part of “Story Title” by Author Name,

read for you by Khaki, your faithful fireside companion.

As always, you can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,

or find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for listening to The Voice of Dog.