Sled Dogs

Loyalties

I had been stressed for a while now. When I get stressed I tend to run laps upon laps upon laps. This habit caught the attention of one dog who became concerned.

I had ran twenty one laps without stopping and my paws were becoming raw and bleeding. One of my friends, Arctic, noticed the blood on the track. As the only one running, it had to be me. He ran out onto the track and stopped me.

"Blizzard, you're bleeding."

"I know, Arctic."

"Then you need to stop running."

"I'm sorry but I can't."

"Please don't hurt yourself like this," he pleaded.

"I'll be fine."

He grabbed my paws anyways and carefully bandaged them. That's when it hit me.

No. No. He's fallen for a taken dog. I thought. But I don't have the strength right now to break his heart. But I certainly can't lead him on.

I avoided eye contact. I knew he was trying to make it.

"I have to go now," he informed me.

"Oh," I replied. "Ok then."

"Please don't run when I can't stop you."

"I won't," I reassured him.

He smiled slightly at me and walked away. I waited until he was out of sight and then stood up. I stretched my legs. I ran. The snowflakes collided with my face as I ran. My paws stung every time they hit the track. That didn't stop me. The pain shot up my legs every with every step I took. Tears welled up in my eyes but I refused to let any fall. Everything ached. Especially my heart. I didn't want to upset Arctic but he had to learn about Tundra at some point. 

I had no idea that I would rarely see Arctic again. He quickly phased out of sled dogs after that encounter. It was sad to see my friend go, but maybe it was for the best. He would never have to see the fights and battles. He would never witness his friends turn on each other.

Maybe he'll return one day, I think sometimes. I'm probably wrong anyways.

(Editor's note: hey guys sorry these last two parts have been shorter. Not all my stories are as long but I try to make them as lengthy as possible. I also won't be publishing as much due to school. Don't forget to read everyone else's sled dog stories!)