Balto watches the sled dog race taking place from the shadows, a longing look in his eyes.

The sound of cheering, panting of sled dogs, and yelling of mushers, echo around the small town of Nome Alaska. Balto watches silently, yearning for the same love and attention the sled dogs possess and receive.

But he cannot have those privileges.

He is, after all, a Wolf-Dog. An outcast. A freak of nature.

The humans all despise him, they kick him away with disdain and anger in their eyes. Muttering under their breath multiple profanities.

He continues gazing silently at the sled dog race, his eyes following each of the lead dogs pass through the finish line.

Out of the blue, a little girls scarf is swept away by the cold icy wind, and lands softly in the middle of the race track.

Without hesitation, Balto speeds towards the scarf, snatches it, and bolts away right before the next sled dogs pass through.

He makes his way over to the little girl, and she takes the scarf from him gently.

She pets him and praises him, giving him the attention he longs for. But it is short lived, for the girls father kicks snow at Balto, shooing him away.

So much for nearly getting ran over, The Wolf-Dog thinks to himself as he makes his way back to the alleyway.

Unexpectedly, he is snatched by someone, and dragged into the alleyway, the motion eliciting a yelp from him.