Robert J Blake

Painter and Ugly, two sled dogs who are inseparable best friends, are put on different teams for the Junior Iditarod, but they manage to find their way back to one another for the big race.

Johnny has wanted to help Pa and their dog Swift hunt for the winter's meat almost since he was born, but when a grizzly's lightning attack mangles Pa's leg, Johnny and Swift have to make their way through the forest and down the river to bring back help--and a wounded bear attacks with no warning.