After realizing we had reached a genetic dead end with the bloodlines we currently held I knew we would need to start the search for a dog outside of our own kennel to give our next generation the strongest future. I started looking in the lower forty eight states for a dog who would best fit into our kennel and who would carry a few extra qualities that our line was currently lacking.

Unfortunately I quickly discovered that shipping a pup to our location in North Pole, Alaska would be a huge investment that would have to be added to the purchase price. I decided to view the overall price as a wise investment in our team and hoped to see positive results of the expense in the years to come.

I set up a few contacts in various states but something didn't feel right. Our search was taking much longer than I expected and time was running out for us to comfortably raise a pup during the warm months of summer. Despite my worry, I continued my search determined not to give up the hope that there was a pup out there who was meant to be with us.

Just as I was about to give up the search a friend of mine told me about a sled dog team about an hours drive away in Delta who might have exactly what we were looking for. I was skeptical but made the long drive to see the parents of a litter that was expected in the next few weeks.

A few of their dogs had an intelligent look to them that reminded me of the guys back home and all their dog's feet where massive and compact, perfect for rough trails where we run our team. Their bodies were large and muscular with the males reaching 75 pounds or more. They were the type of build used for hauling heavy loads and were just the type I was looking to add to my kennel. There is not as much of a need today for freighting dogs to transport gold and mail to remote villages as they have in the past. These larger type huskies were quickly becoming a vanishing breed and I never thought I would find them so close by.

I reserved one of the pups from the upcoming litter and returned home with a feeling of contentment, knowing that our search was finally over. But as I waited for news of the litters arrival we received some very bad news from James' side of the family. Everything came to a standstill when we heard his father was dieing from cancer.

James quickly made plans for an emergency trip down south to help his father take care of his business and walk him through chemotherapy. While he was away I tried to keep my mind on college and finishing up my semester. As soon as finals were over I packed my bags and made the trip down south as well.

After finding the perfect pup I was not ready to call it quits and set up plans to pick her up from the breeder as soon as we returned to Alaska. Hera was born right about the time I was planning to leave and I was assured by the breeder that she would be weaned and waiting by the time we came home.

A few days before we arrived to Alaska I was told that no one had picked up any of their pups and that I would get first pick! It was to be the first time I saw Hera among all her look-a-like brothers and sisters and when I peeked into the dog house Hera and I locked eyes immediately and I knew this was the girl I had been waiting for.

The drive from Delta to North Pole was traumatic for her, it was the first time she had been away from her family and the first time ever in a moving vehicle. I couldn't remember the last time I received a pup from another breeder. We were both in the dark as to what would happen next and how she would fit in with the rest of the kennel.

I shouldn't have worried... after a much needed bath I took her out to meet her new family and she was accepted instantly. I was very surprised to see Aquila adopt her as her own and very relieved to see that she would be safe and protected under the watchful eye of such a great mother.

Ursa and Hera hit it off immediately and Ursa found a playmate she could finish out her puppy years with. It was a delight to watch them play tug-a-war with anything they could get their paws on. When I checked on them in the dog yard I could always find Ursa flat on her back with Hera playfully dominating on top.

Hera is having a hard time coming around and accepting me as a member of her family and its taking some time for her to feel she can trust me. She is as shy as Iris was when she was young and, at this time, I can only conclude that Hera will need more time to mature into an adult before I can truly judge the value of her worth as a sled dog and companion.