then thought: Did dad make up this rule or Buster? Eager to find out, he spoke up: “Buster told me that in the Junkyard it’s every dog for himself or herself; so each dog’s trouble is their own and no one else’s. But Mooch and Ruby told me that your trouble was Buster’s trouble and vice versa. I’m a just a little confused: Was it you or Buster who made up that rule?”

 

“No, it wasn’t me.” Tramp replied in an expression that was obviously in complete denial. “There were many friends that I made when I was both here in the Junkyard and out alone, and they became very important to me. The thing is that there were times when we relied on each other to survive; and when you are facing tough challenges and taking risks every single day out on the streets, even the most experienced dogs can only risk so much before they finally get captured and then put down; and you would only have yourself to blame in the end. So of all the friends that I made, we built a very friendly bond and there was no way that I was going to let it slip away with just that slight act of negligence. Even after I went solo, every street dog looked up to me as a mentor and savior, so I had to lead by example and give them all something back in return. I would never let my friends down. So Buster got jealous after, as he put it, I “ditched” him and left the streets for your mother and the house life. He then learned that from being ditched, no Junkyard Dog looks out for anyone but themselves; and any violation to this will eliminate you from the Junkyard.”

 

Scamp could not believe what he was hearing. He knew that even when he joined the Junkyard Dogs, he never wanted to turn his back on anyone because in his own eyes he was always considerate; and even after learning the Junkyard motto, he wasn’t going to let it change who he was.

 

“So Buster just made up this rule because you were just trying to do what was best for you and he was too twisted up in his own mind to see reason?” Scamp asked in a stern tone.

 

“Pretty much.” Tramp replied, also speaking sternly.

 

“But you never wanted to hurt him, did you?”

 

“Never. I didn’t ever wanted Buster to think that I thought less of him just because I fell in love. I looked after him as he was growing up and trained him to be at the level that he is today. I just don’t think that he understood about my care.”

 

“So instead of turning his back on you, he should at least be thankful for what you did for him.” Scamp said, catching on to his father’s story. “And you left him the honour of leading the Junkyard Dogs because you knew that he was very good and you believed in him. He should have at least looked at that before jumping to conclusions.”

 

“I know. But that time is past. He and I are different now and we both have our own lives to live. He let me go and live my life, and so I am going to let him live his life. Whatever happens to him now is his business.”

 

“I just hope that he will leave us alone.” Scamp thought in slight fear of meeting up with Buster again. What could happen to us if he does come back?

 

“Don’t worry, I am sure that he will. But if we do meet up again I will have a few words with him. He needs to understand a few more things that I should have taught him; then maybe he might settle down after that. But let’s just wait and see what happens.”

 

“Sure, Pop.” Scamp replied. He then looked back at the Junkyard and to the new breed of dogs and noticed how much fun they were having. He was missing the Junkyard a bit; even though he knew that coming back here was no longer safe; and wondered whether his father felt the same way.

 

“Do you ever miss this place?” Scamp asked.

 

Tramp took a couple of minutes to respond as he kept thinking about the fun times that he had here, and he really did feel like he could turn back time and relive it one more time.

 

“I suppose I do sometimes. This place felt like an amusement park, so every day was like a thrill ride that you could never get enough of. Plus all the strays that roamed here at my command made it even more fun. The group sessions made all the difference to the fun life here. The bottom line is that those great memories will be very hard to forget because they were some of the best days of my life, and I will cherish them forever. But sometimes you have to make your own fun when an important change comes into your life. Whatever that change or those changes may be, you have to work with it, but remember to always find your recreational activities in between it all so that you never get bored.”

 

Scamp agreed with his father’s words as he just nodded away while looking into his eyes. “Too true, pop. Too true.”

 

After a little spectating at the new Junkyard dogs, who didn’t seem to notice them as they were too busy in recreational action; and some reflection on the fun memories that they both had in this place; Tramp and Scamp headed back through the pipe and outside the fence of the Junkyard once again. By this time the sun was nearing being straight overhead, signaling midday.

 

“Oh! I just forgot.” Tramp jumped in realization. “We missed breakfast and its nearly lunchtime!”

 

“Jeez!” Scamp snapped at the mention of food. “I forgot as well. Come on, let’s get back to the house and eat. The others are probably wondering where we are by now.”

 

“Yeah.” Tramp replied in slight guilt at having run away from the family. “Hopefully there is no trouble when we get back. Come on.”

 

So they both bolted fast from the Junkyard and followed the path that would lead them back to the house.

 

*

 

Out in front of the Browns’ mansion, the gate had been left open. Jim Dear and Darling had noticed that two of their dogs were missing, but they knew Tramp very well and so he would come home for sure; so they both allowed him and Scamp to make their own way in when they returned.

 

Lady was also out on the front porch, waiting patiently for her mate and son to return from their adventure. She was aware of Tramp’s idea to take Scamp out and show him the life of the “Old Tramp”, because he had suggested this to her the previous night. I just hope that everything will be alright when they are out there. She thought. They have been gone for quite some time.

 

But she didn’t have to think long when Tramp and Scamp came running from around the corner at almost top speed and slowed down to walk up the front steps to the house. She smiled as they came up and walked over to them.

 

“Hey, you two.” She remarked in delight.

 

“Afternoon, Pidge.” Tramp replied as he came up to embrace his mate. “Sorry if we took so long.”

 

“It’s fine. Did you two enjoy your morning?”

 

“It was incredible!” Scamp responded cheerfully. “Dad told me everything about his life on the streets: His first home, his street home, the humans he bonded with, the park, your first date with him, the Junkyard; it was a lot of fun to experience.” Scamp left out the mention of his father’s “previous dames” because it was a memory worth forgetting about as Lady had scolded Tramp for that and almost left him alone for good. He didn’t want something nasty to break out of it. “He even mentioned your first date together.”

 

As Scamp mentioned this, Lady and Tramp looked at each other lovingly and reflected for a moment on that wonderful evening that they had together; including the kiss that came from eating the same string of spaghetti.

 

“I will just say, dad;” Scamp continued. “You are a survivor and a true streetwise master, and I am very proud of you. Whatever happens from now on, I always will be; and I am glad to be your son.”

 

Tramp was very flattered by his son’s remark, and he smiled at him as he replied:

 

“Thank you, my son. And I am also very proud of you. I always will be.”

 

That said, they both nuzzled each other lovingly. Lady smiled at the both of them as she also came up to embrace them in a family “group hug”.

 

“Now come on in.” Lady said as the embrace finished. “You two are right on time for lunch. You must be starving.”

 

“You go on ahead, Pidge; we will be right in.” Tramp remarked, holding Scamp back. “There is just one more thing that I need to speak to Whirlwind about; alone.”

 

“Of course, see you in there.” Lady said as she turned around and headed for the back door. As soon as she was out of sight, Tramp lay down and pulled his son closer to him.

 

“Always remember this, my son: You will reach a time in your life when you realize what is truly important; Love, friendship and family legacy; and you will have to put your loved ones before you in between your passions. By all means go and do what you want to do because life is a real choice, but never forget about your family; because they will always be there for you when you need help; and you will have to return the favor because they need your help as well. All families must help each other to survive. Plus fulfilling legacy is not about taking

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