It was two days after Scamp had discovered the game of rugby and applied for the local rugby club in the Canine North-East State/College Rugby competition. Tramp had also applied along with Ex-JD’s Mooch, Scratchy and Sparky; and the five of them were waiting to hear back from Amity Regional Rugby on the emails that they had all sent them.

 

It was currently after lunchtime; and Lady, Annette, Collette, Danielle, and Angel had gone out for their usual afternoon walk with Jim Dear, Darling and two-year-old Junior. Tramp and his son had other ideas; and they went out separately for a run by the river and through Veterans Park; doing some early preparation for the upcoming rugby season (assuming that they were going to be selected to play) by getting into serious shape and improving their fitness. They ran through the park side by side together, occasionally stopping every 20-30 minutes of jogging to do sets of push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts and leg swings before the next round of jogging.

 

“Where…where did you…discover these exercises?” Tramp asked as they were jogging, panting quite heavily from the intense training session.

 

“I looked up…professional standard training programs…on the iPad…” Scamp responded as he was running and likewise panting. “…and I found these running…exercises undertaken by the European rugby teams. They involve…a combination of jogging, sprinting and body exercises…before commencing training. The warm up training involves…getting your body into the feel of the game…before getting into the serious…practice side of it all. If you don’t get…physically prepared, you can’t play…properly.”

 

“Well…they certainly knock you out…faster than you expect.” Tramp responded, already feeling the fatigue

 

Tramp knew that fitness was essential for street survival, but this fitness training session was different than what he was used to. He had never had to train as hard as this where you have to work so hard that you may eventually pass out from the fatigue. Plus it had been some time since he had been performed his stunts as a stray, so he was a bit out of rhythm.

 

“It…” Scamp began again through the panting. “…is very much army standard fitness. It can…be very tough to endure, but as you keep…doing it over and over again, you eventually get used to it. I am sure that you will.”

 

“Army standard is right, my boy! I don’t know…how much further they are willing to go…to push you to the limit.”

 

“You act like…you are pushing yourself to the limit.” Scamp replied cheekily, noticing that his father was struggling to hold on through the intensity.

 

“You watch your mouth, smart alec!” Tramp replied sternly but also smiling. “Do you…honestly think that I put myself…through all those risks out on the streets…for nothing? Your old man’s…still got twice the speed…and cunning as any dog half his age;” Tramp remembered that he once told this to his daughters, but Scamp never heard it up until now. “So don’t mistake my age for weakness.”

 

“I’m not, pop; I was…just kidding.” Scamp responded with light chuckle. “I know that you have still got it. This sport just…requires you to give the body…some time to get into the rhythm.”

 

“I…understand. You sure…know a bit about the sport already. You must have…really been doing your research.”

 

“I’m just getting started, pop. There will be plenty more…to study tonight; believe me.”

 

They continued jogging along the river when they just came across the last stretch that would lead to the boundary of the park. Scamp knew that it was time to finish in style.

 

“Okay, dad; we are…going to sprint this last section.” Scamp spoke in determination. “Are you ready?”

 

“As I’ll ever be, my boy.” Tramp replied, also quite determined. “Let’s do it!”

 

They ran faster and ended up sprinting the last mile along the river. They both ran quite fast despite the increased fatigue that they suffered; which they were not going to let it get in the way of finishing well. They drew neck and neck for the first half, but Tramp eventually gained some extra ‘horse power boost’ through his hind legs and speed up in front of his son. Tramp then crossed the border of the park 0.26 seconds in front of Scamp and came to a complete stop, which Scamp did in return after he crossed.

 

Both dogs settled down for two minutes to rest the fatigue out from the intense exercise that they both put themselves though, and then took a drink from the river to re-hydrate. They panted slower than when they ran, but that still didn’t stop the burning feeling inside the chest from both dogs. However, after a few minutes of cooling down and drinking, the pain started to ease, and they got up again and started talking.

 

“How do you feel, dad?” Scamp asked, seemingly toughing out the tired feeling.

 

“Not too bad, my son.” Tramp responded, feeling in top shape for the first time in his life. “All this exercise actually feels good on the body.”

 

“Yeah, I think that we will certainly feel a lot healthier a put a few more years into our lives if we keep doing this for a while.” Scamp optimistically replied.

 

“We must also make sure we eat well. That’ll help it.”

 

“That is another thing that I must look up for study: Diet.” Scamp was inside his ‘study brain cell’ again, thinking about what was next for the evening study session.

 

“You seem very keen about this sport, Whirlwind.” Tramp seemed a bit surprised and amazed at Scamp’s commitment to becoming top-class at rugby. “Why are you so obsessed, if you don’t mind me asking?”

 

“Well, ever since I chose to come home, I knew that it was the safest place for me, but I still wanted to go out and do something fun. Don’t get me wrong, dad; I love the adventures that we all have together every now and then: River strolling, baying at the moon, walks in the park; they’re great, but I always wanted to try something different and sporty. I don’t want anything like the hard knocks of the streets any more, just something to do and play with our friends; like a good team activity. I think that playing with a team is a great way to build special bonds and friendships. I found that out when I met the Junkyard Dogs out there and spent time with them. Buster aside, they were all really nice and friendly, and it seemed even more fun with them. Being alone just doesn’t seem the same.”

 

Tramp took this in, and knew that his son’s philosophical side had certainly evolved within time. He couldn’t even remember if he himself was ever this philosophical. But his son’s point about team play was very true. He knew it very well from living out on the streets when he and most of his fellow strays had to look out for each other to survive. I never mentioned this to Buster. He thought. If he knew, maybe he wouldn’t have become so self-centered and obnoxious.

 

“You do have a point, Scamp.” Tramp therefore responded. “We could all use a bit of team play every now and then to really make a living.”

 

“Yeah, so the game of rugby might help us along with that.” Scamp added.

 

“Could do.” Tramp said, then decided to get moving. “Now come on. Let’s get back to the house. We have some more study to do for tonight.”

 

“Sure thing, pop. Let’s go.”

 

And with that, both Schnauzer’s walked at a steady pace back towards the Browns’ mansion.

 

*

 

When they arrived back, everyone else was still absent from the house. They must all be taking a long one this time around. Tramp thought. “Oh, leave them be.” He then remarked out loud. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

 

“Aye aye, Master.” Scamp responded, referring to his father’s secondary street name.

 

“You don’t have to call me that any more, son.” Tramp said with an amused smile. “No-one else does now.”

 

“I know dad, but you will always be the Master to us and the entire ‘street clan’.” Scamp replied, honoring the burden that his father carried. “Even the Ex-JD’s think so.”

 

“Yeah, but I’m not who I used to be.”

 

“Yeah, but they all still look up to you as a role model. They will always love you for what you achieved, no matter where you stand now.”

 

“Thanks, son.” Tramp said with a smile, really feeling these touching words.

 

“Anyway, let’s do it.” Scamp said, starting to move towards the study.

 

“Sure thing, Whirlwind.” Tramp replied as he followed.

 

*

 

For the first hour they were looking on all the basic ways to play rugby on Scamp’s iPad. They looked about passing the ball backwards; tackling; rucking;

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