greener pastures

Whenever given the chance, Starbuck liked to escape and take a look around the neighborhood. Not so bad in a rural area (where he saw the turkeys and ignored the deer) but much more of a worry in urban areas. Luckily, he was more interested in lush landscaped areas and the creatures they tended to support, thereby limiting his wanderings off-road. He usually found a weakness: a loose gate, enough room under the lattice if he dug far enough or a new visitor that didn't know his habits and made full use of it.

Now, it wasn't so obvious as putting on his pack and heading out the door. The photograph is, of course, posed with his dog backpack but he seems to look so sad, like he was ready to run away from home. It was probably more that he didn't like to wear anything and what something like a pack - filled with dog biscuits, a collapsible water dish and a first aid kit - might portend afield. If the bell was not enough!

I think he may have worn this pack only once outside. Though cinched as close as practical, it distracted him as it slid back and forth with his movement. Dog boots were even worse, affecting his gait. He did best unencumbered by any gadgets or apparel, free to move as he wished.

And, sometimes he did wish to run away. The funniest was an episode where he tried to camouflage himself within a pack of Brittanys. We met them leaving the hunting area as we pushed further in. After a brief dog introduction, the four Brittanys started to move away and Starbuck followed them, wedging himself in the middle of the pack. Aside from the obvious, five instead four leaving and zero moving in, he was only one that kept looking back to see if anyone (me) noticed.