as he seemed fooled by Scratchy's 'zone clearance'; meaning that the area appeared to have no other dogs in sight and the dog catcher did not need to inspect the area for suspicious activity.

So Scratchy watched as the van slowly got further and further away and he waited until it turned around a corner to give the signal that it was okay to come out.

"It's gone now; all clear." Scratchy said aloud to his hidden comrades.

As soon as they heard the word, they all came out from behind the storage boxes and bins. After Buster came out of his hiding spot, he was feeling slightly shocked but also amazed that his former Junkyard clan, idol and student had just saved him after everything that he had done to them. He remembered that when he was in the Junkyard, he made the motto: 'It's every dog for himself/herself'; so he was not expecting anyone to help him. But after what just happened, he now  realized that those in his former gang were not exactly what he expected them to be: They were generous and considerate. So Buster began showing some admiration.

"Well, lucky escape, eh, old pal?" Tramp asked Buster.

"Yeah." Buster replied in suprise and awe. "You all saved my life, despite all of our differences. That was a very noble thing for you to do."

"Because we are not like you used to be, Buster." Scamp replied. "We all care very much about each other as well as our friends. Again, it is that feeling of family connection that we share and it means a lot to us. It is what keeps us alive. Never forget that."

"I would also like to add, Buster,..." Ruby immediately intervened, wanting to add to that point. "...that even though you made the rule that it was every dog for himself or herself in the Junkyard, we still looked up to you because you taught us all the tricks and helped us to survive; so we did, after all, want to help you in return for what you did for us."

"And zat is why we helped you just now." Francois added. 

"It is our way of saying thank you for all your help, 'kay?" Mooch then said.

"Yeah, thank you for giving us a chance to survive, Buster." Sparky then put in.

"For the fact that we were left to fend for ourselves after leaving our canine families, you showed us the way." Scratchy finished.

Buster, mouth open in awe, nodded in deep thought at these flattering and heartwarming statements. He was even amazed that his own Ex-Junkyard clan had just stood up for him as well as Tramp and his son. He also could not get out of his mind how wise, noble and intelligent his former student had become since Scamp's puppy days in the Junkyard, so that also seemed admirable to him.

He then remembered that they had also come to offer him something, so he spoke his mind:

"By the way, you also mentioned that you had an offer for me."

"Yes, yes! thanks for the reminder." Scamp immediately replied as this brought his attention back to the other thing that they had come to speak to Buster about. "Dad, Scratchy, Sparky and I recently joined a local rugby club. We are playing in the North East State and College Canine Rugby competition and the season only just started. We are opening up an invitation for you to join us."

"What is rugby?" Buster asked.

"A very physical and intense sport. It's a little bit like gridiron but quite different. It demands skills in speed and agility, endurance and army standard fitness. If you combine the military, wrestling and athletics, then you get this. So it is quite a challenge, but at the same time there is so much intensity that it is an exciting sport to play. It is a lot of fun and I think that it might be something up your 'alley'. Ha ha; get what I am saying?" He laughed at the pun joke that he just made. Some of the others chuckled as well, and even Buster liked it as he brought a smile and he did likewise. 

"But in all seriousness," Scamp continued, "You would enjoy playing this game. It's slick."

"That's right, son." Tramp then responded, keeping his eyes fixed on Buster. "And the other thing is, Buster, that when you were with me, you were always willing to undertake any challenge that I threw at you. Whenever I put you to a test, you would always say yes; no matter how difficult each one would be; and you passed them all within time. That proved to me how determined and commited you really were, and I am not lying when I say that I was so impressed with you."

"You were?" Buster asked, very flattered by the remark.

"Absolutely. So that is why I am laying down yet another test for you: Play rugby with us at Amity RFC and have some more fun. From all of your streetwise experience, it will come in very handy for rugby. Like street survival, there will be a lot of hard yards to put in for both physical and mental preparation to play the game, but I know that you can handle that fine because your willingness can get you anywhere. So what say you?"

I actually think that this is a pretty fair offer. Buster thought. Tramp is right: I WAS very commited to street survival tests and I did succeed them and became a top class stray. That is probably why he left me the honors of leading the Junkyard dogs after he left. And now he is offering another test, only this could be the beginning of something else; something better, maybe. And after they just saved me from being impounded and stood up for me, they showed their true friendly colours and that they were true to their reasonings with me. So it would seem foolish not to take up this fine offer.

"Well, after what you just did for me;" Buster therefore replied. "and the truth about my willingness to any challenge, how could I say no to this? It's a deal. I am in."

"Really?" Scamp responded in excitement.

"Yes, really." Buster replied.

The other Ex-JD's looked at each other in satisfactory grins. They were very pleased that Buster had obliged but also happy for him.

"It looks like his heart just got healed." Ruby whispered to Francois.

"We did what we could." He replied. "Zat is what true respectable dogs do: We help out zose in desperate need."

"Hear, hear." She then replied.

"Excellent, old pal." Tramp then replied to Buster's response. "You will be a valuable asset to the team and I am sure that the coach will let you in when he sees your skills, I know it. Now, we train on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:00 till 8:00 p.m. The games are on Saturday at midday, home or away. Come tomorrow and one of our assistant coaches will show and test you the fundamental skills of the game. If you do well enough, they might place you into the vacant spot on the roster; which was opened up after one of our players got injured and sadly ended his season."

"Oh, I am sorry to hear about that." Buster replied sympathetically before immediately changing back to the training details. "Okay then, but what if I don't make the team?"

"Then you will still be given the opportunity to try out again next year; but I seriously believe that they will let you in because even if you don't entirely perfect all the skills, they will keep training you to get better each session so that you eventually do. We made a deal with them that you would remain in the non-playing list until you get better through personal training, and once you are ready, then they will give you a game. Knowing your fast learning ability, I know that you will get on sooner than expected."

"If you say so." Buster replied. "Alright. I'll come tomorrow and give it a go. I hope that it will be as fun as you say it is."

"If you thought that the street life was fun, this, in my opinion, is much better." Sparky said. "It is also an environment that gives even the most underclass individuals an opportunity to rise above themselves."

"To prove that they are better than what they think they are." Scratchy added. "But you will find that out later in time."

Buster looked on curiously and gave that analogy some thought about what playing the game could do for him.

"In the meantime, we will see you tomorrow night." Scamp finished, signaling to everyone bar Buster that it was time to go. "I'll just remove this collar for you, by the way." He grabbed his own collar from around Buster's neck and slipped it slowly off him before slipping back onto his own neck. "Sorry again that we had to force a bind on you."

"It's alright. I understand now." Buster replied, feeling inside somewhat pleased that they did.

They all began to walk towards the open entrance to the alley. "Keep well, Buster."

"You too." Buster replied. "All of you. See you then."

Scamp nodded and smiled at him before turning around to join the Ex-JD pack in leaving the alley.

"Oh, and by the way;..." Buster, feeling grateful at what was done for him, called after them. Everyone turned around after the Doberman/Rotweiler hybrid spoke and looked at him again.

"...thank you." He quietly replied, showing great appreciation in his voice.

They all took this in and smiled at him again for a few seconds before nodding him off and continue walking. As soon as they were out of sight, Buster sat there alone in his alleyway and pondered hard at what had just occurred between him and his former 'boss' and 'employees'.

They sure have a lot of guts to forgive me and then save me from certain danger after what I did or didn't do to

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