Mateo by Dale Mayer

Mateo is always ready to help, especially when it comes to animals. When Kat, her War Dog files in hand, suggests he find out what happened to Thorny, the latest missing K9 dog, Mateo eagerly agrees. But it’s not just the dog that’s missing—the entire family has vanished, and the reasons are unexpectedly complex.
Maraya, with a heart full of concern, has been trying to get anyone to care about the missing family next door. Her tarnished reputation in town makes it difficult, and a welfare check leads nowhere when no one answers the door.
Thorny is eventually found in the woods, fiercely guarding a small boy from the missing family. This discovery sparks interest—but not in a good way. As Mateo and Maraya delve deeper, they uncover hidden secrets and a budding romance, adding layers of intrigue to their quest.