Denali looked around for Spirit realizing she hadn't seen him in a while, then gave up knowing he could keep himself safe. She eyed up Tiger and huffed thinking that the next time he started trouble she would put in her opinions on him. She scanned around and made sure everyone was alright then she suddenly felt energetic but extremely bored so she got up and started trotting around the edge of the fence, sniffing here, marking there even though she knew all her markings would get covered up by the other dogs.

Mz sat down next to Raina, "yes you would, otherwise your body would be as saggy as a sack of slime" he said flicking his ears at Cypress, Mz turned and looked at Rainas shoulder, slight sensitivity rocked through his legs, another symptom for the brain swelling. Mz shook it off, "you should probably go to the musher, she's still at the vets, may be able to do something for ya" he said

Cypress sat quietly and attempted not to draw attention to himself, gazing around with his glittering ice blue and deep dark brown eyes. He flicked his ears and listened to conversations, confirming the dog he thought was named Denali.. was. Cypress then sank onto his stomach and laid his head down, wondering who would be his partner in the harness and oher various things.

Tiger flopped down trying to avoid everyone. he hated that they acted like he was nothing. like he didn't matter. Like his past didn't have any affect on the present. It did and he knew that. He sighed and closed his eyes.

Mz coughed and watched the new dog carefully, he flicked his ears and sat next to the new wolf, he looked down at him, "shouldn't have fought them, you know" he said, his voice breaking the silence, "whatever I say next, no taking offence, alright?" He said, taking a deep breath, "I understand that you hold yourself to that title, the fighter dog one. But I reckon it's time you let go, start again, this time a sled dog, you will become one of the greatest, you see?" Mz said looking away, "These dogs are your new family, and fighting them, resisting them won't help at all, I promise you that"

Tiger lifted his head. he looked at Mz. "Really? My last musher sold me because I was too much to handle. All I wanted to do was run pull a sled do what I was born to do. But he liked to go really slow just for fun. I also started to many fights.I never had a family. They all died. I became a fighter because I had to. but if you think it will help I guess I could try." Tiger looked warily at the dog it was the most he had ever said at once.

June chuckled as Raina looked and gushed over all the puppies. “You may have some of your own some day if you become a mother.” Looking at her daughter she smiled, picturing that day.

~~~

Watching the interaction with Raina and Cypress and the puppies she smiled in approval. Cypress seemed like a good addition to the team and also seemed to keep Raina more grounded in her young age. She will become a fine leader and will probably draw the attention of even the most aggressive of males, June thought standing up and shaking the snow off her pelt.

~~~

Making her way over to Mz she nuzzled him on the side of his face. “I am glad you are doing better Mz” June said though sadness covered her face. Mz, in his older age had to be more careful in this line of work to take care of himself (and with the help of the musher) or risk early retirement which happens to many dogs for many different reasons but usually the cause is an injury.

~~~

June looked at Raina again as she asked where the new dogs were to be placed. “Well, Tiger will be running by spirit as a wheel dog and Cypress will be running by Raina as a team dog.” She explained trying to diagram it out in the dirt and snow with her paw.

~~~

Once Bellamy and Mz started talking to each other again she could tell that they still weren’t getting along and it was ticking her off. They had known each other for more than two years (since they won the iditarod race two years in a row) and still are acting like children. Rolling her eyes she decided she wasn’t going to intervene, as long as they didn’t get physical they could have their little squabble.

~~~

Her observation of Tigger with the other dogs on the team seemed fruitful. She could tell he was more snapping than any other dog she had met and maybe even cornered some. I mean this is a new place and he didn’t know anyone. I’m going to have my paws full with this one June thought, cocking her head in concentration as she continued observing.

~~

As June observed the fight, she didn’t intervene. She knew that introducing new members was going to cause some fights and being part wolf was normal to her. Also being a female she knew males needed to work out who was on top, like a pack of wolves, there were your dominant high ranking ones and your submissives. Since her father was a wolf he always taught her that there are certain times where males needed to be tamed and when to step back. This was the moment she stepped back. Though it had gotten physical it was a learning moment of who was on top and who was on bottom. As always June was on top and everyone knew not to challenge her but if someone did she would seriously put them in her place. Also letting Raina and Bellamy deal with the situation allowed them to bond and allow Raina to stick up for herself without June which was something she needed to learn at this age.

Tiger sighed. He looked at Mz and then put his head back on his paws. He closed his eyes again. He imagined himself running with a team ding what he dreamed of doing. He remembered his dad's last words "I'm proud of you son" he muttered.