Lady and the Tramp - Animation History

The story of lady and the tramp was originally written by Joe Grant in the 1930's who became inspired by a family Dog of the same name. Lady was a cocker springer who somewhat became replaced when Joe's first daughter entered the family.  However the story was shelved during production and wasn't continued until the 1940's. Walt had read a book titled 'Happy Dan the Cynical Dog' which gave him the idea to add a part of the cynical dogs personality onto lady, claiming that the character lady was 'too soft'. The events of World War 2 also put the project on hold resulting in Joe Grant eventually leaving the studio. In doing so Walt took credit for Joe's story claiming he had been inspired by giving his wife a puppy in a hatbox. Eventually the film was finally released in 1955.