The landscape changed drastically as she descended the trail. From skirting wildflowers and seeing vistas higher above, Domenica was now under a thick canopy of shaded green. The light was cool, and though it’d been a warm day, a cold sweat clung to her clothes and hair.
At some point, a dog appeared to her, walking over a bed of moss with his nose to it. Mimi had crossed paths with numerous dog owners that day, some off-lead like this, but they usually weren’t far behind. And the dog’s leash typically wasn’t… trailing behind it.
She looked around, but upon seeing no one, crouched and beckoned the pup over. It didn’t engage at first, but with time it came closer, all the while following its nose. Once near enough, Mimi patted its head and retrieved its leash without hurry.
Humming a thoughtful noise, she turned his name tag over. ”Tell me what now, Chase?” she pondered. There were phone numbers and microchips and all sorts of creative ways to find an owner, but Domenica wasn’t too concerned. How far could a beagle go from where it’d started? No offence. He was very cute, but they were not exactly known for being intrepid travellers.
Straightening to a stand, she continued down the trail with him, the pace slow and attentive for both their sake’s.