What challenge does little willy face in from stone fox

In John Reynolds Gardiner's novel "Stone Fox," the character of Young Willy faces a number of particular challenges. Willy, who is only ten years-old, is forced to take on a variety of adult responsibilities when his elderly grandfather falls into a deep depression.  Among the challenges Willy faces and overcomes include: taking over his grandfather's farm and harvesting and selling the potato crop (which); using his dog to help pull the farm's plow when he is unable to buy a horse; nursing his grandfather out of his depression; attempting to pay off his grandfather's tax debts by attempting and failing to secure a loan; earning money by entering a dog sled race even though the odds are against him winning; and by having his dog die during the race and finishing the race on his own by carrying his dog the rest of the way the finish line to win the competition.