camouflage

Although it is commonly thought that dogs are incapable of hiding their feelings in the same way that humans can, they can camouflage their tactical intentions. Starbuck was always overjoyed to go hunting - barking the whole way to the hunting area (silent only when sniffing the outdoor BBQ we passed every week), running around in circles while I got ready and then ranging far as we hiked along the dirt road to the hunting area. Once he scented something, his demeanor changed into a stealthy predator. Nose to the wind, he triangulated his quarry's position and approached with caution.

As  field conditions dictated, he might have further shrouded himself with an odorous mask. Aromatic plants would seem to have been adequate but the scent of choice was usually left behind by other animals. You would think that the birds he preyed upon would find it odd or unnatural that formerly stationary piles of cow dung or their own turd were now quartering across the field in front of them but he seemed confident that the birds were fooled. The sad commentary was that they usually were fooled.

Trickery and camouflage found their way into home life as well. I first took a picture of the fully-awake Buckster on the couch from 15 feet away and started to walk towards him. As I got closer, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, even changing his breathing, so that a sleeping dog may lie unfettered by paparazzi. This second picture caught him monitoring the efficacy of his camouflage through slightly opened eyes, and if he was out of harm's way, when he heard the footsteps stop.