Animation History: 'Lady and the Tramp'

The conception of Lady and the Tramp began when Walt Disney visited one of his story men, Joe Grant, and was charmed by Grant's springer spaniel.
Joe Grant saw this as an opportunity and brought sketches of his dog, Lady, to Disney and was asked to create a storyboard. Disney was displeased with the storyboard and the idea was shelved.
In 1943 Disney read a story in 'Cosmopolitan', called 'Happy Dan, The Skeptical Dog' by Ward Greene, and bought the rights to it.
By 1953 a story had finally started to take form, using elements from Joe Grants storyboard and Ward Greene's story. By this time Joe Grant had stopped working for Disney, and recieved no credit when the film was released in 1955. Disney had claimed he got his inspiration for the story when he gifted a puppy to his wife in a hat box.