That fateful week, Daniel and Jake decided to take Buddy on a hike along the old Ridgeway Trail.
he could breathe in a way he hadn’t for weeks, feeling momentarily free from the pressures of daily life.
About two miles in, Buddy suddenly froze. His ears perked, his body stiffened, and then he bolted off the path.
“Buddy!” Daniel called, his voice echoing through the forest.
They sprinted after him, tripping over roots and branches. Daniel’s lungs burned as adrenaline coursed through him. Then, finally, they saw him.
Buddy was at the base of a fallen tree, pawing at something. As Daniel’s eyes adjusted, he realized it was a woman, unconscious, her pale face peeking out from beneath the leaves.
Daniel pressed his fingers to her neck, and faintly, he felt a pulse. “Jake, call 911. Now!” The seconds felt like hours.
Buddy sat next to Daniel, whining, nudging the woman gently with his nose and paw. When her eyes briefly opened and whispered “Home,” Daniel felt a shiver run through him—he couldn’t understand the significance yet, but it felt profound.
