Joey hurried inside with a arm full of firewood. His nose was red and his ears were the color of beets. He asked his mom if she would please fix him some hot chocolate. Of course i already have it started. They were alone in their cabin and helpthis week. Pa had left to take his hides into town. He would stay the week getting supplies and visiting his brother and his wife. They always got to go a few times in warm weather but this had been a cold winter and someone had to stay and feed the horses. There was the pigs and a few cattle that needed tending. Mitch was the hired hand and he did most of the work. But pa wanted his son to learn what he could. Joey was in charge of firewood tonight. He was worn out carrying several loads in. Mitch just laughed at this young boy trying so hard to do a mans work.  Mitch stayed in the log cabin down the path. It was small and cozy. He was in his 40’s and was always smiling and joking with Joey. They were good buddies. Joey was sipping on his hot chocolate when his mother and him heard a howl not to far away. One then another. The wolfs are coming close tonight. Joey said. I hope they don’t get my pigs or goats. Mother assured him they were safe in the barn and the wolfs couldn’t get to them. Still Joey was concerned. Come on its time for bed. With a hug and kiss he was on his way to bed. As she looked out her window she saw snow flurry’s coming down. Joey will be so excited to see the snow she thought to herself. Then out of nowhere she saw a wolf run across the yard. She  reached for the shot gun but Mitch was coming up the path with his gun. A loud boom and then another.He knocked on the door and told her not to worry. Theses wolfs wont be back tonight. Joey ran into the room and Mitch said go on back to bed Ill keep an eye out if they come back. Maybe you and i can go hunting tomorrow as he winked at Joey.Joey smiled his sleepy smile and headed back to bed. Good night, Mitch and thank you, he said his goodbyes and headed to his cabin. Morning came and Joey ran to the window and started yelling.Snow, it snowed! His mom laugh and said it stopped sometime this morning. It looks like we will be getting more tho so don’t wander too far. He hurried and dressed. with his coast and hat. He grabbed his gloves and out the door he flew. He loved snow so much. He wished it was warm and the snow would still be here to play in. He saw Mitch heading for the barn. He hid behind the tree and slowly crept up trying to get a good shot at Mitch with a snowball. He lost tract of Mitch. Where did he go and then plopp. He got a snowball to his back. Mitch said he saw him and he couldn’t creep up on a ant. They both laughed then went in the barn to do the chores. After the chores Joey went out to play for awhile. He watched the rabbits jump and play like kids in the snow. He saw moose tracks, rabbit tracks and he then stopped dead in his tracks. There were wolf tracks and a trail of blood that headed deep into the trees. Mitch came over and said he was pretty sure he shot one or two. They walked a little ways and then head a whine. Over in the bushes was a wolf bigger than he ever saw. She was dead. Good shot . Mitch said to Joey and he nodded. There is that wine again. In the bushes next to the rocks was a wolf pup. White as snow. Mitch grabbed his gun but Joey said no Mitch. Its a baby. Against his wishes the boy grabbed the wolf pup. Ill take good care of her. I promise. Mitch was deeply concerned so he said they better get back soon its going to snow again. They hurried back to the cabin. when he entered his mom went from a smile to a very concern look. No, she said. Mitch shot her mom last night and if we don’t take care of her she will die. The mom thought for a moment then agreed he could keep her until spring. They played with her awhile and fed her. They looked so cute sleeping together in Joey’s bed. The next few weeks were hard with all the snow. It had made everyone stick close to the cabin or inside. Pa came back from town and brought presents for everyone. He made mom happy with news of a new baby coming in the early summer to his brother and his wife. Life moved on and the pup soon grew to be quite large and all so beautiful. She was always getting into something. His mother and father couldn’t help but love that crazy wolf. But the agreement was until spring, then she had to go back into the wild. Joey dreaded to hear that . But the day came and the door was open. Go Winter go. But the white wolf just stood their looking confused. The boy took the wolf to where Mitch and him had found her. She sniffed and looked around. They tried to move back toward the path but Winter followed them and was jumping  and  playing as  she went. This is going to take time they all agreed. Each day they went outside and tried to teach the wolf how to survive. They tried there best to teach her how to hunt. They were about to give up but finally Winter made her first kill. Winter was proud of the rabbit she caught. As days went by she grew into a large fine white wolf. Her ears were funny tho. As a pup she must of been in a fight. The tips were missing but she was still fine. Joey got dressed and went to play with Winter but Winter was gone . He looked everywhere but couldn’t fine her. Days past and he realized Winter wasn’t coming back. He was sad but glad Winter found other wolfs to be her family.The pigs were gather and the cows and goats. They were going to market. Pa and Mitch would be bring home new babies and new stock to raise. They said their goodbyes and off they went. They would be gone a week or two but he was in charge. His mom smiled as he acted like the man of the house. He said he wanted to go fishing and his mother told him to be careful. Down to the river he went carrying that bamboo pole he had made. He has caught a lot of fish on that pole. He hadn’t been that long after throwing a line in when he got his first bite. Then another. Before it was over he had ten good size trout. His mother will be so happy. Half way home he heard a noise and looked up ahead and saw one big black bear. The bear was sniffing air and hadn’t picked up on him yet. He hid behind a large tree hoping this bear would just leave. He thought the bear was gone but the bear had circle him and was coming up behind him. Joey dropped his fish when he finally saw the bear behind him. The bear got up on on his hind feet and came toward him growling. He had nothing but a bamboo fishing pole to use for protection. Just when the bear almost reached him a white wolf appeared out of nowhere and jumped the bear then another wolf appear then another. Six wolfs jumped the bear. They fought hard and soon that bear ran off screaming. Now Joey had another problem. The wolfs turned toward him. Teeth showing they walked closer to him. The large white wolf jumped in front of them. It was Winter. She was all grown and now she was helping him. They snapped and fought for a moment then they backed off. They kept their distance and Winter came to Joey and they hugged. She licked him all over, playing with him. Soon Winter looked at the other wolfs and howl. Then they all howled. Joey gave all his fish to Winter and her family. They grabbed two and ran off. Winter turned to look at Joey one last time and then ran like the wind. When Joey got home he told his mother what had happened. She said your old enough to carry a gun. The next time you go from the cabin you carry a gun with you. Joey felt all grown up as he talked to his mom. She said he provided a good meal for dinner and if they were going to eat it then she better get started cooking. Years came and went. Joey grew into a man. He was out doing chores when he saw Winter laying under that oak tree. She had crawled under that tree waiting or him. She looked him in the eyes and he just held onto her for awhile. She died that day and his heart was full of sadness to see his Winter go. As he buried her he heard howling. For a moment he saw about eight wolfs watching him. Two wolfs were white as snow. Winters family left and he found a smile deep down. You did well girl. Goodbye my friend.