we are playing this game because we want to enjoy ourselves. So let’s set foot inside the white rectangle and give it all we have got. What say you?”

 

“Hear, hear, partner!” Mooch yelled excitedly.

 

“You said it, buddy!” Scratchy added.

 

“With you all the way!” Sparky also yelled.

 

“Yes, one hundred percent, Whirlwind!” Tramp finished aloud.

 

“Alright, then.” Scamp went on, immediately concluding his speech. “Well, thank you all again for everything, looking forward to starting rugby camp, and let’s enjoy this day together. Cheers!”

 

Everyone then applauded Scamp for his wonderful speech as he came back into the crowd. The Ex-JD’s all came up and shook his paw as he did; with Francois and Mooch even embracing him, being a little crazy but heart-warming as they were; in respect and honour for the young schnauzer. Each member of Scamp’s family then embraced him individually, as did his Uncle Jock and Uncle Trusty. Scamp felt so flattered by all of this.

 

How could I have ever imagined something like this? He thought in complete awe. Do I really have this many friends and do they really respect me so much for what I have done? I never thought that I deserved this much. He shook his head in amazement and smiled at the thought, but then something else came to him: But if this is true, I hope that I don’t let them down. He knew that he inspired his friends to play rugby but also to bring out the best of themselves, and he now had to further lead them as a mentor, so he only hoped that he could continue to help them along without failure.

 

After Scamp finished embracing his family, Jock and Trusty then got up in front of the crowd to get ready in giving their own speeches, and the canines went quiet once again to listen in as Jock began speaking:

 

“Thank ya very much for those wonderful words, Scamp and Tramp. I swear that could really make most laddies here shed a tear or two, heh heh.” He chuckled a bit before continuing. “Anyways, we won’t keep ya too long, but I would just like to say firstly that it has been terrific meeting all of ya Ex Junkyard Dogs. You are all very kind and loyal at first impression and we are more than happy to have ya as part of our neighbourhood. Personally, I will not be afraid to say that I used to be slightly judgemental of strays or strangers to the neighbourhood, but I now understand that it is important not to judge folk before getting to know them; and therefore I can see that ya Ex-JD’s have grown past your previous ways of living and come into safer environments; so I respect your decisions and all of ya are now our friends.”

 

The Ex-JD’s smiled in great appreciation at Jock’s acceptance of them into the community.

 

“I also want to congratulate Tramp, Scamp, Mooch, Scratchy and Sparky for making the rugby team. Best of luck to ya all out on the field and I hope ya have some fun out there. The country of the heritage of my breed, Scotland, plays rugby quite a lot, so I know a bit about the sport myself. I know that it is a very rough game and there will be a lot to overcome to get to the top, but I trust that ya all can do it with the will and determination that ya hold. Good luck to ya and play well, laddies. Thank ya. Over to ya now Trusty.”

 

The crowd applauded Jock’s speech for ten seconds before Trusty took over to speak:

 

“Thank you, Jock. I just want to say that I have also enjoyed meeting you all. Welcome to this great neighbourhood and we are more than honoured to let you into our great community. Just remember to play safe and always be loyal to your owners and fellow canine friends so that you will fit in fine with us and show your true belonging.”

 

“Very wise words.” Sparky, inspired by Trusty’s statement, whispered to Ruby.

 

“Being a long term member of this community, he would know.” Ruby replied, likewise inspired.         

 

“And,” Trusty continued. “I also want to wish the best of luck to the rugby-playing canines and that they have some fun out there. Remember to play and work hard; keep physically fit and mentally prepared; behave well both on and off the field; and most importantly, enjoy yourselves. Thank you all again and have a great day!”

 

The crowd applauded for another ten seconds as Trusty finished, and then he and Jock walked back into the canine crowd to socialise once again.

 

The social party lasted for another hour before they finally parted the park to go back to their homes in the neighbourhood of Snob Hill. The gathering was finished, but the memories of meeting each other and the acceptance of the Ex-JD’s into the community would be remembered on this day.

 

*

 

It was mid-evening back at the Brown’s mansion, and the family had just finished eating their dinner. Lady and her three cocker spaniel daughters had gone to spend time by the fire with Jim Dear and Darling. Jim Dear was busy reading the newspaper and Darling was knitting.

 

And in the TV room, Tramp, Scamp and Angel were sitting on the sofa and watching the DVD film that Angel had bought for Scamp less than a month ago when she found out that Scamp was interested in rugby: Invictus. This film was a portrayal of the true story of Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) and the struggle for black peoples’ aspirations and peace between them and the white people of South Africa because of the dreaded apartheid era. But under Mandela’s leadership as president of the country, the blacks and whites would unite into a new era of peace and democracy; including Mandela’s encouragement to the South African rugby team; the Springboks, led by captain Francois Pienaar (played by Matt Damon) to pick up their act and win the Rugby World Cup in hope of contribution to rebuild the nation.

 

They got up to the part where Mandela had just walked into his office on his staring day as President of South Africa and immediately assembled all the staff to speak to them:

 

“Good morning.” Mandela began as he stood up in front of them. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. Some of you might know who I am. I could not help noticing the empty offices as I came to work this morning; and all of the packing boxes. Now, of course, if you want to leave, that is your right. And if you feel in your heart that you cannot work with your new government, then it is better that you do leave, right away. But if you are packing up because you fear that your language or the colour of your skin or who you worked for before disqualifies you from working here, I am here to tell you; have no such fear. What is verby is verby. The past is the past. We look to the future now. We need your help. We want your help. And if you would like to stay, you would be doing your country a great service. All I ask is that you do your work to the best of your abilities. I promise to do the same. If we can manage that, our country will be a shining light in the world.”

 

Scamp became awestruck at this amazing statement.

 

“Very powerful, isn’t it?” He therefore responded to his mate and father. “Those are the words of a true peacemaker.”

 

“He sure has a lot of guts to forgive the whites after what they did to him.” Angel added; feeling likewise amazed. “I mean, after being imprisoned for 27 years for a heroic fight for the rights of the black people of the nation; and being treated horribly in prison for that long; what in the world gives him the power to forgive?”

 

“Great question, but leave that till later.” Tramp replied. “It might tell us in the film.”

 

They continued watching; when they came to the part where Mandela had assigned extra body guards; who were whites, or Afrikaans; alongside his black body guards; and head bodyguard Jason protested to Mandela at his action because of fear that the Afrikaans guards would double cross them:

 

“When people see me in public, they see my bodyguards.” Mandela said to Jason. “You represent me directly. The rainbow nation starts here. Reconciliation starts here.”

 

“Reconciliation, sir?” Jason asked.

 

“Yes, reconciliation, Jason.”

 

“Comrade President,” Jason protested again. “Not long ago these men tried to kill us. Maybe even these four guys in my office tried and often succeeded.”

 

“Yes, I know.” Mandela replied gently and with assurance. “Forgiveness starts here too. Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon. Please, Jason…try.”

 

Jason thought for a little before responding.

 

“Sorry to disturb you, sir.”

 

And then he left the President’s office.

 

These quotes about trust and forgiveness made Scamp think again: I had no idea that forgiveness was really that powerful. So we must forgive our enemies instead of seeking revenge against them and making them more afraid of us? That also got him thinking about his and Tramp’s old rival Buster again, and how much of an enemy he seemed to be because he turned away from Tramp and trapped Scamp in the pound; but somehow Scamp had a feeling that all Buster needed was a bit of help; and so listening to

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