It was several days after Scamp, his father and three of the Ex-Junkyard Dogs had been asked to come down to Amity to tryout for the rugby team, and already everyone had been spending the week training and preparing themselves for the tryouts in two weeks time.

Scamp had introduced his fitness training program to Scratchy, Mooch and Sparky; and along with Tramp, they spent every day of the week running and jogging through Veterans Park, which would also include strength and muscle training in push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, squats, star jumps, lunges, and bicep curls. They would also use the fitness playground, called ‘Exersite’; which consisted of pull-up bars, push-up bars, sit-up planks, leg hop planks, step pillars, and stretching planks. Scamp wanted to do all of this in a gymnasium, but he found that the outdoor training is better for the body because the dose of vitamin D from the sun was an essential part of one’s health to be in top shape for intense exercise; and it also provided a scenic and natural atmosphere that would provide some enjoyment while working out. However, Scamp still signed up for the local gymnasium in town with enough money from his generous owners the Brown’s; and vowed to go to the gym at least twice a week and work on his strength training. The Ex-JD’s did likewise.

The Ex-JD’s managed to handle this entire exercise fine because their streetwise experience had trained their bodies to be strong and tough; and they knew that if they weren’t, they could not survive out on the streets. So because they were able to endure the intensity, they had become fitter once again; only fitter than ever before. But even Scamp knew that intense fitness would cause extreme fatigue, so he tried to keep it all in a safe procedure.

One day he and the others were performing a series of sprints up and down beside the river at the Park. They were going in three one minute sets of jogs from one point to the other in 20 metres. They were just down to the last set now, and they were all really getting tired, but Scamp was acting like the coach, pushing them to finish strong.

“Come on, guys! Push it! Push it hard!” Scamp was shouting in encouragement as he went along with them, while also panting hard. “This is… this is the last…minute of the set. We have to finish in style…so go for your life, come on!”

They all heard him, but they were really finding it hard to keep running through the fatigue as they were all panting like mad. It was a really intense exercise; nothing like how they had to perform on the streets; and it was tough to get used to.

Sparky, Scamp and Scratchy were going at a steady pace while Tramp was leading the pack as he was the fastest and most durable; and Mooch was running a little more than 20 metres behind them as he was the largest and slowest out of the five; but he still did not stop at all through the last set.

Scamp then looked at his beeping timer that was laid on the ground and saw that it was counting down to the last seconds of the set: 5…4…3…2…1…BEEP! The beeper went off, and they all stopped running and walked slowly over to a shady tree to rest off the fatigue. Everyone was panting very hard because they had just been through sets on the Exersite equipment before finishing off on jogs and sprints; and it had practically knocked them out.

“Woah, what a workout, ‘kay!?” Mooch spoke up in between pants. “If it is hard enough…training in the army,…then it ain’t that much easier to play this game.”

“Yeah, this game is…even tougher than I thought it would be.” Scratchy added.

“Trust me guys:” Scamp responded. “The fitness hell that these rugby players…put themselves though is just…as intense as playing the game itself. They usually train two to three times a week,…but will also go and do constant strength training in the gym…when they are away from the field. The thing is that…you really need all the muscles that you can...to handle the physicality. It’s not just a contact sport, but some have called it a collision sport as well. Most tackles you make…and wall that you hit will bruise or break your bodies…in some way. But the metres that you run on the field will also tire you out, so the two attributes of strength and cardio fitness are vital for endurance.”

“And it really is more or less like training…in the army.” Tramp added. “The players are like soldiers preparing for battle; and they cannot be physically capable to fight on the battlefields unless they are extremely fit; and that’s how they become the most competitive opponents in the world.”

At this point they were all panting less, so they were able to speak normally without pausing for breath for too long.

“You ain’t wrong there, old friend.” Sparky commented. “After watching a few matches I can see why they have to be really well prepared. I don’t think that it matters what sport you play. On field performances are all dependant on fitness levels.”

“But I think that it is also about mentality.” Tramp added. “If you have the ability to think about how you are going to handle each and every game as well as handle the physicality, your chances of success as a player become greater; which could then lead to better recognition. It’s all about leading by example. That is common for all rugby coaches.”

“Like how a dog should lead his fellow pack, ‘kay?” Mooch put in. “Especially when it comes to surviving on the streets.”

“That’s a very valid point, Mooch.” Scratchy responded. “All of us have had experience as street dogs; and a few elements of that experience might be just what we need to take on the challenges of the rugby field; such as the little tricks from the stunts that we performed and the heavy duty cardio and strength exercises that kept our bodies street-fit.”

“It will certainly ensure that we are not going to be staring cold when it comes to the tryouts.” Scamp added optimistically.

“Yes, our skills will be put to the test.” Tramp remarked immediately. “And I believe that we will get through if we can keep enduring. The more we work out, the more pain our bodies can further withstand. So just remember to stay strong and don’t give up.”

“You got it, old friend.” Sparky replied, feeling determined and competitive despite his age.

The others nodded in agreement with Tramp’s words.

Scamp, on the other hand, was thinking to himself. It had been two years since he had last seen Buster, but somehow he felt that Buster was still ‘haunting’ in his presence. The tricks that he pulled off to turn Scamp away from his family and get him trapped in the pound caused both rage and anxiety for the schnauzer because it gave him an idea just how evil Buster really was. But the discussion and practicality of rugby made him think differently. I know I should stop thinking about Buster after what he did to me. Scamp thought. But maybe I am getting the wrong impression. Plus this rugby sounds like something up Buster’s alley. If he joined us and played, he might make up a good part of the chemistry. He is probably the most muscular dog I have ever met, so he has certainly got to be one of the fittest. If we ever come into contact with him again, maybe we’ll reason with him and try to set our differences aside. Only time will tell.

Scamp kept these thoughts in his mind as his father spoke up again:

“Alright then, team. That will be all for the day’s training session. Now let’s all go home and get some rest.”

“Sure, but dad…” Scamp started, thinking about the next day; which really had nothing yet planned. “…I think that we should take at least a couple of days off to give our bodies a rest. We don’t want to overdo it and risk injury before the tryouts. That would be a major blow.”

“Right; good point, Whirlwind.” Tramp responded with a look into his son’s eyes, and then turned to the Ex-JD’s. “Yes, the week has been pretty hectic and I am sure you are all feeling a little stiff and sore from the training. So you all go home and take the next two days off; then we’ll get back to the gym next week.”

“Got it, old pal.” Scratchy said.

“Will do, ‘kay?” Mooch added. “We’ll see you in two days’ time.”

“And you all remember to do a bit of study into the game so that you can mentally prepare yourselves for the game.” Sparky said to all of them, who nodded immediately in confirmation and agreement before they broke off into the direction of their owners’ pads.

“See ya! See ya! Keep well! Stay safe!” They said simultaneously as they gained distance apart from each other. Soon they were all back inside and outside their individual homes, ready to rest up for the next two days.

Later that night after everyone had finished their evening meals, the whole family had gone into the dining room to read their evening newspapers and watch TV; all but one: Scamp went back to the study to read his brand new book that Angel had bought for him; The Encyclopedia of Rugby Union; to continue his research into the game.

For about an hour he sped-read through more than half of the book; familiarizing himself with the history of the game; the responsibilities of the on-field positions; the top international teams; the star players; the Six Nations, Pacific Nations, Super Rugby, and Tri Nations tournaments; the great national teams of the world; and the Rugby World Cup.

Shortly after he had finished reading about the Rugby World Cup, he heard a very familiar and personally unlikable call coming from Jim Dear’s voice in the kitchen:

“Alright, everyone; Time for your bath! Water’s hot!”

“Alright, yeah!” Came the excited calls from Annette. “I love baths. Me first! Me first!”

“No, me first! You got dibs last time!” Collette protested.

“Wait a minute! I am going first!” Danielle also protested. The three of them were always so eager to get to have the first bath because they loved it so much. They were running around the kitchen barking frantically, desperate to be the first one to get bathed.

“Ahhhh!” Scamp groaned in frustration. “Not again! They know how much I hate baths. Can’t they just give it a break for a couple of months or so?”

“That is not as easy as you would like it to be, my good mate.” Came a familiar beautiful voice to Scamp as it entered the room.

“Oh!” Scamp jumped in surprise and slight fright as though he was not expecting anyone to walk in on him at this moment. He turned around and saw Angel walking into the study. “Jeez, Angel; you scared me.”

“Sorry, tenderfoot.” Angel apologized with slight amusement at the reaction that Scamp exhaled before her. “I didn’t mean to get you in the middle of study.”

“That’s okay, love. I am always delighted to be interrupted by you: The most beautiful canine I have ever known.”

“Oh, Scamp!” Angel replied, blushing at Scamp’s charm. She then came up and embraced him lovingly. After breaking off, she spoke again.

“Still despising the old bath, are we, Mr. Rugby-Obsessed?”

“Please stop mentioning it. Every single house dog has to go through this every damn week or fortnight. Why can’t they give us a break and let us just get a little bit dirty. It can’t hurt that much.”

“Scamp, listen.” Angel started again, knowing that her mate needed serious help with this bath-hating habit. “I know how much you don’t like having a bath, and trust me when I was living with my previous families I used to feel the same way, but you have to understand that some things that you have to have or do that can sometimes displease are supposed to do you good. Getting cleaned will be good for you in the long term because it will stop fleas getting into your fur and then you will not have to keep scratching all the time. It will also prevent your fur from being lost and looking like how Scratchy did. Plus if you want to look good and make impressions to the canines and people around you, then cleaning and grooming is the way to attract attention.”

“You know that for sure?” Scamp asked, feeling these words of wisdom from his mate.

“I have been there that many times it’s not funny. You are not taking it because you are in trouble and it is not going to cause any harm. It is just a matter of keeping clean and fresh. Plus I think you will find from your research that all rugby players bathe and shower after every match and training session; because they would get so dirty and sweaty from all the running, collisions and falling to the ground that the odors they would be carrying would smell so bad that no one would want to hang around them until they clean themselves up. I don’t think that you want that, do you?”

She does have a point, actually. Scamp thought. All that physicality and running would not help their personal hygiene at all. I suppose people would complain about that. “No, you’re right, Angel. That does make sense.” Scamp replied in slight discomfort at the thought. He knew now that he would not want to do anything further to make others think less of him.

“Just trust me on this.” Angel continued, noticing Scamp cringing. “Look…,” She pulled herself close to Scamp and lowered her voice slightly. “…just try to show some decency towards this and take the bath. It will only last a minute or so and then you will be free. And I’ll make you a deal: Show some control and manners and go to bathe, and then we’ll go out on a date tonight. Plus you can choose a nice place for us to go. How does that sound?”

Scamp considered that thought and knew that it was a pretty fair deal. He had already experienced showering in leaking water under a water tank and swimming in the river, so that seemed very much like bathing to him. Plus he knew that if he was going to play rugby, he would have to change his habits because he knew that the game demanded commitment and responsibility. So he decided to oblige. Besides, one quick bath won’t hurt. Came Scamp’s final thought as he replied out loud:

“That’s sounds like a deal, baby. I’ll do it right away!”

And he immediately jumped off the study chair and headed to the kitchen, where the hot water was steaming inside the dog bath, and immediately sat down next to his three sisters; who were all looking quite surprised at Scamp’s obedience to the bathing call.

“Woah!” Annette exclaimed towards her brother “How on earth did you get here so easily without being forcefully carried?”

“Yeah, you hate baths, bro.” Danielle added in likewise surprise.

“Things change, sis.” Scamp replied with a smile towards his sisters. “Watch this:” And he starting barking up at Jim Dear, who was near the bath and ready to clean and condition his second-generation canines.

“Scamp?” Jim Dear remarked in surprise as he got the message that Scamp wanted the first bath. This was something that he definitely was not used to. “I didn’t even have to carry you here to get you in as I always do! What has gotten into you all of a sudden?”

Scamp continued to bark at his owner to get Jim Dear to bathe him first. Scamp did want to show some manners and consideration, but also he wanted the first bath so that it would all be over in a hurry and he could then stop worrying and complaining about it.

“You want the first bath, huh?” Jim Dear asked, still surprised but also delighted at Scamp’s change of behaviour at the same time. “Alright, then. Come on up. But you have to keep still; no wriggling; or there will be consequences. Okay, boy?”

Scamp obediently nodded immediately. Jim Dear then lifted Scamp up and put him in the bath. Once in, he rubbed shampoo all over his fur and scrubbed him. That was the bit that Scamp didn’t like most: Being scrubbed. Because to him it brought a rough feeling and it would sometimes cause irritation or minor pain. But this time he didn’t really feel anything irritating or painful and he handled it fine. After being scrubbed for about a minute, Scamp was then taken out of the bath and given a rinse down under the tap, where the shampoo would be washed off of his body and disposed of through the sink. Jim Dear then dried him off with a towel and gave him a quick brush all over his body with the grooming brush before letting him go. Scamp did not wriggle or lose control once through the whole bath, which really pleased Jim Dear because this made his job a whole lot easier.

“You were so well behaved, Scamp.” Jim Dear said as he let Scamp back down onto the floor. “In fact that is the best behaved you have ever been before. You are a very good boy. For that, you get a little treat.”

Jim Dear then got a couple of nice liver treats from the little packet of special pet foods and gave them to Scamp, which Scamp accepted and ate them up quickly. He then gave Jim Dear a lick on his hand to say, ‘thank you’, and immediately exited the room.

“And no more playing rough after bathing, Scamp!” Jim Dear ordered after him. “You know what happened last time.”

Scamp turned and barked a simple ‘yes’ reply with a nod of the head so a human could understand the message, and continued to walk off.

“Can you believe what we just saw?!” Collette said in amazement.

“He really has changed his ways.” Annette replied. “This is not the Scamp we used to know anymore.”

“Well, you do learn within time, don’t you?” Danielle said. “He did say that times changed, so I think that he knows very well now. I really admire that in him.”

They could have talked a bit longer, but Jim Dear had picked Annette up and he was ready to bathe her and the rest of the crew.

Meanwhile, Scamp met Angel back in the study.

“So, how did it go?” Angel asked, interested to hear Scamp’s bathing discipline.

“Not as bad as I thought.” Scamp replied, unsure of how to say it because he could not tell if what he was saying was true or not. “It wasn’t very long and it didn’t seem to hurt at all. Plus I do feel a little smoother in the fur. So you were right. I guess all that swimming in the river helped me to get the hang of it.”

“So does that mean your days of hatred for bathing are over?”

“Only time will tell, but I may be getting very close. I once said that I couldn’t promise that I would start to like bathing, but I could promise that I would try. So I hope that it is paying off.”

“Oh, it is. Good on you for keeping your word.”

They both smiled before Jim Dear called Angel to come for her bath:

“Come, Angel! It’s time for your bath now.”

“Alrighty, then.” Angel said as she walked into the kitchen for her cleaning session. Before she disappeared from her mate’s sight, she turned back and faced him. “After I am done, we will go out, okay?”

“Sure. I’ll wait, baby.” Scamp replied.

While she was getting her bath, Tramp came up to Scamp and whispered something into his ear that was inaudible to others who might have been listening. Apparently Tramp had known that Scamp and Angel were dating tonight and he wanted to give Scamp some advice.

“That sounds really wonderful, dad…” Scamp replied after his father suggested something to him. “…but are you sure the others won’t mind?”

“Everyone else in this house trusts us, so they are more than happy for us to have some independence.” Tramp remarked. “You go right ahead and enjoy it.”

“Okay, cool. Thanks, dad.”

“Always happy to help, son.”

Scamp also decided to use his iPad on the date for something else special, so he grabbed it.

Tramp then backed away as a means of privacy for his son and mate as Angel then came back into the room. Her fur was very smooth with the scent of ocean mineral shampoo. To Scamp, she was still looking more beautiful than ever, and his eyes were all dreamy at the sight of her.

“Angel, you look so beautiful.” He therefore remarked in awe.

“And you look so handsome, cute thing.” Angel charm fully replied; and they both smiled lovingly at each other.

“Are you ready to go?” Scamp asked.

“Ready when you are, tenderfoot.” She replied.

And with that, the two young and mature dogs walked side by side and through the pet flap, where their date was about to start. Tramp, coming back into the kitchen from his ‘hiding’ place, watched the two of them walk out. Make it special for her, my son. His final thought remarked.

Scamp and Angel walked back into Veterans Park and strolled through all the great sights and wonders; including the arch bridge, the river, fireflies, and the love heart that was shaped into the concrete; which contained Lady and Tramp’s paw prints that would remain in the heart forever. The last time they came through the park, they only ran right past the heart and never noticed its contents. This time they both stopped at it.

“These paw marks that you see in the heart…” Scamp reflected from his father’s stories. “…belong to mom and dad from their first date together. They put their paws in it while the cement was still wet, and it is here where they will remain forever.”

“Wow!” Angel remarked in awe and surprise. “I never knew that. Your parents must have known how true their love really was if they made their marks permanent.”

“It was a symbol that they were always going to be one with each other from that moment on. I suppose that it was hard to believe considering that they were both different; being the house dog and street dog that they were.”

“That’s ‘opposites attract’, if you will.” Angel added in.

“Exactly. And I suppose dad learned well about the security and goodness of house life from mom, and that’s the other reason why he had to give up the street life, not just because he really loved her. They both gave each other a promise of shelter and protection: Very wise choice.”

“True.” Angel replied in agreement. She then turned her attention to the love heart again. “You know, if this cement was still wet…”

“…Would you put your paws on it with me?” Scamp finished for her, looking into her eyes dreamingly as she did the same.

“Yes, I would.” Angel responded lovingly. “And I vow that I will always love you.”

“And I vow to do the same.” Scamp likewise remarked in the same emotional tone. “I will never turn you away because you are the reason that I am still living and breathing from my previous experiences, and I owe you everything for that. I love you so much, Angel.”

And he immediately moved forward and kissed her on her lips. It lasted for about ten seconds before they broke off and together placed their paws on the love heart together, both wishing that their marks would forever remain. They looked at each other lovingly again before kissing again as their paws remained on the love heart.

After the kiss was finished, they both climbed up onto the hill of the park and overlooked the street lights that illuminated the town of New Haven. They then lay down on their backs and gazed up at the stars, looking out for shooting stars and astronomical feats such as the Milky Way.

“Wow, the night sky is so beautiful.” Angel remarked quietly.

“Yeah, especially with the illumination of the moon.” Scamp added dreamingly. “It really lightens up the whole landscape surrounding us; and it adds to the beauty of the night.”

“And on a night like this, it doesn’t get any more beautiful.” Angel further added, turning her head to face her mate, who also did the same. They smiled at each other before Angel said, “Tell me again that you love me.”

“I love you, Angel. I love you with all my heart. Ever since that day when I first saw you; when you and the Ex-JD’s were playing and messing around with that dog catcher and I was chained up inside the gates, I could not take my eyes off of you. I hoped that I would see you again when you disappeared around that corner; and when I did, I realized how much you really meant to me. As hard as I fought it, there you were. You gave me a life, Angel, and I want to say thank you.”

“And I also want to thank you for giving me a family, Scamp.” Angel replied in a slight emotional state. “You are lucky to have such a wonderful family, and you and they are like my whole life. So thank you again, beautiful.”

They both showed some tough emotion before coming forward and kissing each other again for a further twenty seconds. Scamp then grabbed his iPad and scrolled through iTunes to select the perfect love songs for the moment.

“These songs are for you, my love:” He said again, first selecting The Eagles’ Love Will Keep Us Alive:

I was standing

All alone against the world outside

You were searching

For a place to hide

Lost and lonely

Now you've given me the will to survive

When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

Don't you worry

Sometimes you've just gotta let it ride

The world is changing

Right before your eyes

Now I've found you

There's no more emptiness inside

When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

I would die for you

Climb the highest mountain

Baby, there's nothing I wouldn't do

Now I've found you

There's no more emptiness inside

When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

[Solo]

I would die for you

Climb the highest mountain

Baby, there's nothing I wouldn't do

I was standing

All alone against the world outside

You were searching

For a place to hide

Lost and lonely

Now you've given me the will to survive

When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

Scamp selected the next song immediately as this one finished: The Bee Gees’ How Deep Is Your Love?:

I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again

And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave
And it's me you need to show

How deep is your love
I really need to learn
Cause were living in a world of fools
Breaking us down
When they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
Youre the light in my deepest darkest hour
Youre my saviour when I fall
And you may not think
I care for you
When you know down inside
That I really do
And it's me you need to show

How deep is your love
I really need to learn
Cause were living in a world of fools
Breaking us down
When they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

The two young dogs embraced each other through the whole song while gazing up at the stars. As the song ended, Scamp selected yet another beautiful love song: JoJo & K-Ci’s All My Life:

Baby (x11)

I'm So Glad...

I Will Never Find Another Lover
Sweeter Than You
Sweeter Than You
And I Will Never Find Another Lover
More Precious Than You
More Precious Than You
Girl You Are..
Close To Me You're Like My Mother,
Close To Me You're Like My Father,
Close To Me You're Like My Sister,
Close To Me You're Like My Brother
And You Are The Only One My Everything
And For You This Song I Sing....

All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I..That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Hope That You Feel The Same Way Too
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too

I'd Send You All That I'm Thinking Of........Baby

Said I Promise To Never Fall In Love With A Stranger
You're All I'm Thinking Of
I Praise The Lord Above
For Sending Me Your Love
I Cherish Every Hug
I Really Love You

All My Life (Ohhhh..Baby, Baby)
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I...That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Hope That You Feel The Same Way Too
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too

You're All That I Ever Know,
When You Smile All My Face Always Seems To Glow,
You Turned My Life Around,
You Picked Me Up When I Was Down,
You're All That I've Ever Known,
When You Smile My Face Glows
You Picked Me Up When I Was Down
Say...You're All That I've Ever Known
When You Smile My Face Glows
You Picked Me Up When I Was Down
And I Hope That You
Feel The Same Way Too
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too

And All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God
That I..That I Finally Found You
All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
Yes, I Pray That You Do Love Me Too

(Fading)
And All My Life
I Prayed For Someone Like You
And I Thank God That I...That I Finally Found You.....

They both embraced throughout this song as well. As it finished both canines really felt the inspirations of love from all three songs; but their thoughts were mainly focused on the words from Love Will Keep Us Alive. The message and meaning in that song made them realize how important their love was for each other; in that Scamp recognized that Angel’s Christian spirit had guided him towards playing safe, and Angel recognized that finding Scamp guided her to her true family, where her wonderful life was given to her. Thank the Lord that I found her. Scamp thought. If not for her, I would have remained locked up in the pound; or then further received the ‘curtains’.

I am so happy that I found him. Angel thought. He is the sweetest and most gentle canine I have ever known. I don’t know if I would have ever found the right home if not for him and his wonderful family.

These thoughts concluded at the end of the embrace that they shared coming from the last song that was played.

“Those songs were so beautiful, Scamp.” Angel said emotionally.

“Yeah.” Scamp replied lovingly. “I thought they would be perfect for this beautiful moment.”

“Oh, Scamp…” Angel responded, looking into his eyes. “This has been the most wonderful night of my life, bar that first night we had together. Thank you so much.” It seemed at this moment that the date would be finished for the night, but Scamp was not quite finished.

“It’s not quite over yet, Angel. I have one more thing for you, but you will have to wait.”

“What is that and when will it be.” Angel asked, excited and curious at the same time.

“You will see in some hours time; which is why we will be sleeping up here on this very hill tonight. Then the surprise will come.”

“Oh, I see.” Angel replied, a little confused but still excited. “Okay then. But are you sure Jim Dear, Darling and your family won’t mind us being out all night without being at home?”

“They say that they trust us to take care of ourselves when we go outside, so they will be more than happy to let us go.” Scamp affirmed.

“Alright, then.” Angel replied, and she then lay down on the grass in the sleeping pose. Scamp followed suit and lay right next to her, with his body touching hers.

“Thanks again, tenderfoot.” Angel concluded before yawning and closing her eyes to go to sleep. “Good night; love you.”

“You’re welcome, baby.” Scamp also concluded before shutting his eyes. “I love you too.”

And with that, both young adult canines went into deep sleep, with the bright stars and moonlight shining over them as though their love had just come true with the blessing of the light from the Lord himself.

But little was known from Angel that Scamp, as soon as she had fallen into deep sleep, had moved from his position next to her and gotten up. His plan to prepare something for the morning for his mate was now in motion…

The next early morning at 6:30 a.m., the darkness slowly began to light up as the sun was about to appear on the horizon that could be seen in the distance from the hill at Veterans Park. As the dawn light neared, Scamp and Angel were still sleeping side by side on the hill. Scamp’s eyes noticed the disappearing darkness and he opened them slowly. They then focused on the pre-sunrise golden light in the distance beyond the hills, and he remembered how beautiful it looked when his dad and he came up on this very hill in the early morning several weeks ago when they were taking a trip down Tramp’s “Memory Lane”. He was about to witness it again, only this time it would become very special for him and his beautiful Pomeranian mate. I just have to wait for the sun to appear for the right moment. Scamp thought as he was looking at his mate beside him, who was still asleep.

The first quarter of the sun then started to appear on the horizon, and the rays illuminated the surrounding landscape. Scamp knew that the time was right, and he got to his feet and nudged Angel lightly before speaking:

“Angel? Angel, wake up. Wake up.”

Angel opened her sleepy eyes as she heard her mate’s soft gentle voice and looked at him.

“Scamp?” She responded before yawning. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, sweety.” Scamp replied. He then gestured towards the rising sun. “Take a look there. I think you will find that it is an even more beautiful morning than ever.”

Angel shifted her sleepy eyes towards the light on the horizon, and the sun was now halfway above the hills in the distance. Her eyes grew slightly wider as she noticed the beauty of the early morning landscape. It was one of the most spectacular sights she had ever seen in her entire life, and she was almost lost for words at first viewing.

“Think of this as the light of blessing upon our souls.” Scamp added in, looking out to the rising sun with her. “This is where our lives begin, right here.”

“Oh, Scamp.” Angel said in awe. “You’re…you’re right. It is so beautiful.”

“Yeah. Beautiful…just like you.” Scamp replied dreamily, looking into Angel’s beautiful blue eyes. She turned her head to the left to face her mate and looked into his eyes as well.

“And you.” She responded, also dreamily. She was about to come up and kiss him again when Scamp stopped her.

“But wait!” He immediately said when she moved. “There is one more thing. Come with me. But you have to close your eyes first.”

“Close my eyes?” Angel asked, a little confused.

“You will see. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you as we go.”

And so Angel closed her eyes and Scamp helped her along to move in the right direction to where he was taking her, which was only 20 metres east of the hill. Scamp eventually stopped her before a tree. Her eyes were still closed but by the pause in movement she could sense that the surprise was coming.

“Okay, Angel,” Scamp began, slightly nervous but excited at what was about to come. “Open your eyes.”

Angel’s eyelids opened and looked directly at the tree to which she had been guided to. There was a love heart carved in the trunk, and inside the words: ‘Scamp & Angel Forever’. At the base of the trunk lay a bunch of pink and white peonies, which Scamp had picked and arranged the night before. Angel gasped and stared hard at it in awe, as though the Lord Himself had just blessed her with an eternal love light. She realized at this point that their love for each other was true.

“You did this last night, didn’t you?” Angel began, turning back towards her mate and trying to hold back tears. “This is why you wanted us to spend the night up here?”

Scamp nodded before asking; “What do you think?”

“Ohhh, I love it so much.” She continued, still very moved by Scamp’s gift for her. “This is so wonderful. This is the most wonderful moment of my life. You really are the sweetest, gentlest and decent canine I have ever known. Is it true that we are going to be forever?” She asked this is a hopeful tone.

“I give you my word, Angel.” Scamp began, pulling out his iPad again and going through the songs in iTunes. “I am going to be here for and with you until it is our time to go. You are the one and I am never going to let you go. I said that I loved you…but I lied...because this is more than love I feel inside. It could never ever feel so strong.” He used these lyrics from the very song that he was about to play on iTunes: Michael Bolton’s Said I Loved You…But I Lied:

You are the candle, loves the flame
A fire that burns through wind and rain
Shine your light on this heart of mine
Till the end of time
You came to me like the dawn through the night
Just shining like the sun
Out of my dreams and into my life
You are the one, you are the one

[Chorus]
Said I loved you but I lied
cause this is more than love I feel inside
Said I loved you but I was wrong
cause love could never ever feel so strong
Said I loved you but I lied

With all my soul I’ve tried in vain
How can mere words my heart explain
This taste of heaven so deep so true
I’ve found in you
So many reasons in so many ways
My life has just begun
Need you forever, I need you to stay
You are the one, you are the one

[Chorus]

You came to me like the dawn through the night
Just shining like the sun
Out of my dreams and into my life
You are the one, you are the one

[Chorus]

Said I loved you
But this is more than love I feel inside
Said I loved you....but I lied

As the song finished, Scamp handed the pink and white peonies arrangement to Angel. She looked at the colours of the flowers and admired the feeling of love that they symbolized. At the same time, hearing the words of deep love in the song that was just played made her realize again how much being with Scamp meant to her.

She then came up and tightly embraced Scamp in a deep way of saying ‘thank you’. Scamp returned it so greatly as if he had never done so before; not even with his own family.

“I love you, Scamp.” Angel said quietly, sniffling through a light sob of happiness. “Can we please hold each other for the rest of our lives?”

“That’s my plan.” Scamp replied, looking into her eyes after the big embrace.

Their lips moved toward each other again and began a long loving kiss. Behind them, the early morning light was shining on their love heart tree, indicating that the dawn of their everlasting love had just begun.

To be continued…

All characters belong to Walt Disney and I fully respect the regulations against copyright violations.

BlackJack16.