Fred strolled along the path, his feet moving in sync with the disco beats blasting through his headphones. His eyes caught a sudden burst of color—a vibrant poster pinned to a nearby tree. The image of a scruffy terrier named Barney stared back at him, the words "Lost Dog" emblazoned across the top. "I have to find him," he murmured, determination sparking in his eyes.

Fred pulled out his phone, snapping a picture of the poster. He glanced around, noticing a few people who might have seen Barney. With a deep breath, he approached a nearby jogger. "Excuse me, have you seen this dog?" he asked, showing the photo. The jogger, a woman with a bright red headband, paused to look. "I haven't, but I'll keep an eye out," she promised, offering a sympathetic smile.

Fred made his way into the city, stopping at every corner to ask passersby about Barney. The responses varied from shrugs to polite apologies, but Fred's determination never wavered. A street performer, juggling in a nearby square, caught his attention. Perhaps someone with such a vantage point had seen something. "Have you seen a terrier running around here?" Fred inquired. The performer, a young man with a painted face, paused his act. "I haven't seen a dog, but you might want to check the park on 5th Avenue," he suggested.

With renewed hope, Fred hurried to the park. He scanned the area, his heart lifting as he spotted a familiar scruffy terrier sniffing around a bench. "Barney!" he called, his voice a mix of relief and excitement. The terrier looked up, ears perking at the sound of his name. With a joyful bark, Barney bounded towards Fred, tail wagging furiously.

Fred scooped Barney into his arms, laughing as the terrier licked his face eagerly. "I knew I'd find you," he said, hugging the dog tightly. Passersby paused to watch the joyful reunion, their smiles reflecting the warmth of the moment.

As Fred and Barney made their way back through the park, Fred couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The journey had been unexpected, but the outcome was worth every step. "Let's get you home, buddy," he whispered, glancing down at Barney, who looked up with grateful eyes. Together, they headed towards the horizon, the disco beats in Fred's headphones echoing their shared adventure.