The wind whipped at her sending her dark blond hair streaming behind
her as she ran through the streets of Nome. Some watched her run,
others, not knowing why tried to stop her. The fourteen your old
Emma ignored the shouts of protest as she made people move out of
her way, the day felt so cold, so much colder than it had ever
done. People seemed to be everywhere, suffocating her with their
numbers. Darting down allies and between houses, she had no idea
where she was going, just knowing that if she stopped there'd be
nothing else to do but think about….She had come for help, she had
told them where to look and when she had seen their faces she had
run. Uncaring where she ended up she just knew it had to be away
from those faces.

Finally, unable to run any further she collapsed to her knees in the
slushy snow. Her chest heaved as she gulped down lungfuls of cold
air. She knelt there, stunned, unable to move as her head span
making her feel dizzy. Slowly, through her jumbled thoughts she
began to take in her surroundings. She wore faded jeans, a white
oversized shirt and a heavy fleece all of which was now soaked
through, the only part of her which was warm were her feet encased
in a waterproof pair of walking boots, lined with rabbit fur.

Her teeth chattering she moved into the nearest building. It had a
large set of double doors, it was warm and she realised, it must be
the kennels. She stood still for a moment trying to control the
chattering of her teeth, listening intently for conversation.
Hearing none she kept on moving slowly, it was surprisingly quiet
for a kennels, there was no barking, no snarls, just the occasional
rustle, or crack of a joint as one of the residents moved. She
smelt the dogs before she saw them; it was a pleasant smell, a re-
assuring smell. Dogs never asked questions, they never judged you
and, at least the ones that Emma knew about, always stayed by you.
Opening the gate she stepped through and saw them moving around.
Finally `alone' she could no longer hold back the unerring sadness
within her and silent tears began to streak her face. She tried to
wipe them away, but her hands were still wet from the snow. Slowly
she sank down again, suddenly very tired and unable to stop the
tears. Not once did she scream out, she stayed quiet, enveloped
completely in her grief. A terrible loneliness swept over her then
and forgetting all the rules about strange dogs she leant forwards
and embraced a large husky with a collar studded with bronze.
Burying her face into the thick rusty pelt she sobbed silently,
feeling the warmth of this dog and hearing the strange rhythm of his
heart

"They're out there…I know they are."