It was evening at Veterans Park, New Haven, Connecticut; the same day that Tramp, his son and The Ex-JD's had come back to their old friend and "enemy"; or some of them might have thought; and forgiven him for his sins then let him join Amity Regional RFC; and on this night, Scamp was taking a stroll with his Uncle Jock and Trusty. The adolescent Schnauzer invited them along because he was getting used to spending a lot of time with Angel, his father and the Ex-Junkyard clan, and he thought that it was important for him to see his other family as well. This way, his uncles would not feel left out from the love inside the family circle.

Scamp had explained to Jock and Trusty the events that occurred earlier in the day, and they were both awed and impressed by Scamp's amazing nobility.

"Well I'll be blown away little laddie!" Jock exclaimed. "That was a very brave thing for ya ta do; forgiving an enemy then making him a great offer."

"Not somethin' I could have ever thought about, since I was so used to trackin' down enemies and seein' them get locked up." Trusty added. "Considerin' all that he put you through, what gave you the initiative?"

"Inspiration." Scamp replied. "I recently watched this film about an amazing iconic figure and how he, even after 27 years of imprisonment by his enemies, came out and forgave them instead of seeking revenge so that they and his natives would unite into democracy. If he or any of his other fellow 'comrades', as he called them, set out to seek redemption, the dictatorship that would have arisen would have further enforced the cycle of fear between the races and pushed the country of South Africa into a civil war."

"That makes sense." Trusty replied, awed by the wisdom that came to his ears. "So what was the name of the film and who was this character?"

"It was called Invictus; and the iconic figure was called Nelson Mandela. This film was based on a true story, so he was a real man, and he really did help to unite the people of his country. It is truly award winning and I should show it to you both soon." He then continued on point about Buster. "Anyway, after watching that, I realized that Buster would be less afraid of who he might have thought we were because of everything that happened between us if we proved to him that we were better than what he expected of us. Therefore by showing loyalty, he would be able put his trust back into us. Were it to be otherwise; in a situation where we would attempt to get revenge on him, the hatred will only increase and we might keep fighting until one eventually kills the other. It is all a matter of keeping peace of mind."

The Scottish Terrier and Bloodhound looked at each other in complete astonishment. Never in all their years had they ever considered such nobility. They were both good at being noble, but this was a step up from their grade.

"Well, I don't know what else to say, young laddie," Jock responded. "but we are both extremely impressed. You truly are unique, ya know?"

"Yep." Trusty agreed. "Keep that spirit up and you'll be flyin' with the highest class of angels up in Heaven."

Scamp felt flattered and just stayed silent and smiled at their admiration for him. 

"So..." Trusty continued. "...what is next?"

"Well," Scamp said. "he will tag along with the five of us tomorrow night when we train, and Buster will be tested on each fundamental element. If he succeeds, they will let him join the roster. If not, they will drop him. But I believe he will get in because he is willing, learns fast and is very fit. I don't know if I have ever seen any dog as lean and athletic as he is, so it would be a shock if he doesn't make it."

"Well then, give him our best of luck, will ya, laddie?" Jock responded. 

"And hopefully his contribution comes in valuable for the success of your team." Trusty added.

"It certainly will." Scamp optimistically replied. "I believe in him."

"And we believe in you all." Trusty then said, referring to his nephew schnauzer, Tramp and the Ex-JD's. "The way you all worked so hard and showed nobility is somethin' that we could never have been more proud of."

"I agree." Jock added. "No matter what happens out on that field, we will always be proud of ya."

"That means the world to me, Uncle Jock and Trusty." Scamp responded in great appreciation. "I love you both."

And Scamp came forward to embrace his uncles. They both returned it with all the love that they felt for their nephew. Scamp now felt that his connection with his family was the strongest that it had ever been.

*

The following evening, at Amity Regional High School playing fields, the whole team were busy warming up with their touch football session. It was 10 minutes before the start of training, and the whole five Ex-JD clan was already there, but Buster had yet to turn up. It is not bang on six yet. Scamp thought. It won't matter if he is a little bit late. As long as he shows up, that is the important thing. I am sure that he will know where to find us.

He shrugged this off for now as he concentrated on the warm up at hand. He knew that the coaches were not going to like it if their players got distracted; and if so they would punish them with push ups or sit ups. Again, the head staff demanded perfection from each of their individuals if their season was to be brought to a successful conclusion.

Five minutes later, Scamp turned his head to the sidelines once play stopped and noticed a black and brown muscular canine entering the playing field. He was walking towards the playing sheds before stopping at the administrators' desk to sign up for the team. Scamp then knew that this was Buster and therefore he pulled out from the touch football game and headed over to the Doberman/Rotweiler hybrid to help him.

"Hey, Buster!" Scamp called as he approached.

"Hey! What's up, Scamparoo?" Buster replied after he turned around and noticed the prescence of his former 'junkyard student'.

"How are you going?" Scamp asked as he arrived. "Did you have any trouble finding your way here?"

"I asked a few strays along the road here and they gave me some clear directions, so through about half an hour on paw I got here." Buster replied. "It really was no trouble at all."

"Well, hopefully it should be easier to find your way here every other time now that you know."

"With our sense of smell and direction, no problem there."

"True. Now just remember, Buster, that we did not want to force you into this. It is completely your choice whether you would like to play or not." 

"I understand, Scampo." Buster affirmed. "I am always up for new challenges and really would like to see what this game holds before I make my final decision. After training tonight, my mind will be made up."

"And even if the coaches let you in but you find that this sport is not really what you want to do, that's okay. At least then you gave it a go and knew then for sure if you liked it or not."

"Yep, that's true." Buster replied again, appreciating Scamp's acceptance of free will. "Thanks."

"No problem. Now let's get you signed up."

So Scamp helped Buster to fill in his details on the registration form. After a couple of minutes, he took Buster aside to the sheds and showed him to his sports bag. The young schnauzer then pulled out some fresh rugby gear: A pair of boots, shorts, socks, and a training shirt; all roughly Buster's size. Buster just stood there, both surprised and amazed at Scamp for his convenience; thinking that Scamp could have done enough for him already after the previous day's events of 'reconciliation'. He then knew inside that Scamp really was a good friend.

"Geez, Scampster," Buster responded in flattery after laying his eyes on the gear. "you really didn't have to do that."

"Have to have the right gear if you want to perform, pal." Scamp replied. "And we want to see you perform at your very best; so yes, we did have to do this. It will be worth it in the end, believe me."

"I'll bet." Buster said in deep appreciation. "Well, thanks again."

"Our pleasure. Now slip your gear on and lets get out there."

"Right."

Buster then put on his gear and within several minutes he was ready to go. He and Scamp then jogged over to the team, who had started their crossover passes, and joined in. Tramp and the Ex-JD's noticed Buster's prescence and smiled in admiration for his willingness. Buster caught this and nodded an acceptance to them; still also thankful for what they did for him the previous day.

The team went through their usual warm ups drills: Handling and then joint fitness with Schaulk. Then they got ready to go on attack and defense practise with the padded bags. But on this occasion Buster was taken aside by backs coach Alistor for personal training so that he could be introduced to the fundamentals of rugby and learn how to play the game.

"Welcome to your first training session of rugby, Buster." Alistor began, speaking the the Doberman/Rotweiler hybrid face to face. "My name is Alistor, and I am the backs coach."

"Nice to meet ya, Alistor." Buster replied, ready and willing to learn what was about to come for him.

"You too. Now I am going to work with you one on one in this

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