SUSIE SCOOPED UP an armful of Husky pups. It was early spring in Fairbanks, and puppies were blossoming like flowers among melting snowdrifts in her family’s dog yard. “How can I ever turn you into a winning team?” she said, laughing. All her life, she’d dreamed of winning the Junior North American Dog Sled Championship Race. She had only until winter to train Aurora’s pups to compete against the best junior mushing teams in Alaska. “Which pups will you choose?” Mom asked. “I think I’ll just choose all of them,” Susie said, but she knew that only three of these little Huskies would make it to the big race.
Although Aurora’s pups were only four weeks old, Susie already saw differences among them. Pluto was rowdy, while Sunshine was shy, and Foxy a tease. Peanut only
