her.

"Tangie? Could you sing me one last lullaby?" Scruff asked.

"You mean before you go?" Tangerine asked.

"No I didn't-"

You don't need me to sing you a lullaby," Tangerine got up and headed towards the hole in the back of the bin. "You obviously don't need me for anything," She wept. She left the grabage can and ran off. Scruff rested his head on his pillow. He was really sad. He'd never been so sad in his life. He was going to get the thing he most wanted, but Tangerine didn't like it. He started crying. He cried all through the night while Tangerine sat on top of the junk pile staring at the stars trying her best to ignore Scruffs upset weeping.

                                                                                     ***

The next morning, Scruff was with Bandit, Travis, Coco and Zero at the entrance to the woods. "Okay, Scruffy, when you feel like it, run into the woods and be free," Zero said.

"Be careful," Travis said.

"I'll miss ya," Coco said. Scruff went over to Bandit.

"Where's Tangie. I can't leave without saying goodbye to her," Scruff said.

"She's probably just busy with her bones," Bandit guessed.

"Yeah...her bones..." Scruff sniffed. 

                                                                                                ***

Tangerine was busy with her bones, she was digging frantically. Saying over and over again: "Where is it!?"

                                                                                                ***

"I think you should go now," Zero said. He hated waiting. Sruff nodded. He hugged Bandit and then ran towards the woods.

                                                                                                 ***

Tangerine suddenly found what she was looking for: Scruff's bone that he was saving for her. She ran as fast as she could towards the woods.

                                                                                                  ***

                                                                      Scruff was right by the entrance.

                                                                                                 ***

Tangerine tripped over a rock, hurting her paw, she limped as fast as she could.

                                                                                                 ***  

Scruff ran into the woods, to the sound of the other four cheering. Suddenly Tangerine ran onto the scene

"Wait! Scruff! Don't go! I've changed my mind! You're brave and strong and you can take care of yourself! Just-don't...go away...Scruff. She had missed him, she couldn't believe it. She started weeping silently to herself. She placed Scruffs bone at the foot of a tree and walked away from the woods. She sat down on the bridge that went over the pond in the park and stared at her relflaction. After a while she noticed that hers wasn't the only reflection in the pond, next to hers was a grey wolfdog puppy with a bone in his mouth.

"Tangie!" He yipped, he hugged Tangerine tigthly. Tangerine did the same. Both of their eyes welled with tears of happiness.

"Didi you ever think I'd leave without saying goodbye to you?" Scruff asked.

                                                                                                ***

That night while the stars were out, Bandit and Travis were sitting on a matress at the foot of the junkpile. "I can't wait to see Scruff again," Bandit said.

"It's strange because at first I thought Tangerine didn't like Scruff," Travis cocked his head.

"Well, Travis. Sometimes people care more than they should. It's called love," Bandit said. Travis perked his ears up.

"Do you think we should tell Tangerine?" Travis asked.

"No point. I think she already knows," And the two dogs looked up at Tangerine who was sitting on top of the junkpile staring in the direction of the woods. suddenly a howl could be heard in that direction and Tangerine smiled as she knew that it was Scruff. She howled back.

Flashback Ends

"And that was the last time I saw him," Tangerine finished.

"Great story," Bobo said.

"Tree's done!" Bandit and Travis chorused. Bandit and Travis carried the 'tree' outside and then up to the top of the junkyard pile.

"Oh, snap!" Travis stamped his foot on the ground.

"What?" Lola asked.

"We forgot the most important part of the tree: The star. Every Christmas Tree needs a star on top!" Bandit said.

"I still think it looks nice," Dash comforted.

"It just doesn't feel right," Travis frowned.

"Suddenly, the gang noticed a light shining up from behind the tree and the junkpile.

"What is it?" Coco asked.

"I think it's a shooting star," Tangerine cocked her head.

"There's no way that's a shooting star. Zero rolled his eyes.

"I'm not sure what it is," Kali shrugged.

"It's getting brighter," Bandit pointed out.

"Let's make a wish anyway," Dash said.  Most of the dogs all thought of a wish. Then Tangerine spoke.

"That's no shooting star it's- it's...SCRUFF!" Tangerine gasped. Scruff was at the top of the junk pile carrying a light bulb. He carefully placed it on top of the 'tree' the he rushed down towards Tangerine. They hugged eachother tightly.

"Tangie. I've missed you so much," Scruff yipped.

"I've missed you, too," Tangerine said