Buddy stopped suddenly, nose twitching in the air.
His ears perked up, and before I could react, he bolted off the path.
“Buddy!” I called, my voice bouncing off the trees.
It was unusual for him to dash off like that.
Usually, he was content to meander beside us, sniffing at every leaf and twig.
Jake glanced at me, concern etched on his face.
“I’ll go after him, you stay here,” he said, already moving in the direction Buddy disappeared.