Luath is a young red-gold Labrador retriever trained as a hunting companion. Respectful and well-mannered, he maintains a dignified distance from temporary human caregivers while reserving his true loyalty for his master. Driven by a powerful inner compass, he initiates the westward trek homeward for himself and his friends.

Bodger is an elderly white English bull terrier who is deaf in his left ear and partially blind. He possesses a deep affection for human beings and thrives on their companionship. Despite his advanced age rendering him a fragile traveler, his former fighting instincts activate when his friends face danger.

Tao is a svelte Siamese cat with a wheat-colored coat and a distinct crook in his tail. As the most independent member of the trio, he easily taps into his wild instincts to catch prey in the wilderness. He acts aloof yet remains deeply devoted to his companions, frequently functioning as a fearless protector.

John Longridge is an unmarried professional writer in his forties who frequently travels for his historical biographies. As the godfather to the Hunter children, he volunteers to care for their pets while the family travels to England. A miscommunication involving his partially burned note leaves the animals unsupervised.

James Hunter is an English professor who accepts a temporary academic post overseas, necessitating a nine-month separation from the family pets. He is Luath's master and has trained the Labrador retriever since puppyhood.

Elizabeth is the nine-year-old daughter of the Hunter family. She is the proud guardian of Tao, the Siamese cat. She maintains a steadfast, confident optimism regarding the animals' survival during their disappearance.

Peter is the eleven-year-old son of the Hunter family. Having received his bull terrier on his first birthday, he shares an inimitable, lifelong bond with the aging dog. He struggles deeply with grief over his missing companion.

Mrs. Oakes is a middle-aged woman who lives nearby and helps tend to Longridge's domestic needs. She is quite fond of the Hunter family pets, especially Bodger, and agrees to check on them while Longridge takes a brief hunting trip.

Nell is an empty nester living in a wilderness cabin with her husband. Having raised eight children and cared for numerous stray animals, her soft heart leads her to immediately welcome and feed Bodger when he arrives at her door.

James lives in a remote wilderness home with his wife, Nell. Recognizing Luath's noble breeding and obvious distress, he provides crucial medical care by extracting painful porcupine quills from the dog's face.

Helvi is a young Finnish girl living a frugal life with her family in a remote cabin by a river. She discovers Tao after an accident and attentively nurses him back to health.

Reino is Helvi's father, living a pioneer life in the wilderness. He helps dry out the rescued Siamese cat and astutely observes the animal's temporary ailments.

Mrs. Nurmi is Helvi's mother, living in a spartan wilderness cabin. She assists her husband and daughter in reviving the injured animal.

Jeremy is an elderly man with a faltering grip on reality who lives in an isolated cabin. He amiably mistakes the three traveling animals for human visitors and shares his meals with them at his dining table.