If you don’t have a dog or are one of those strange people who does not absolutely love those utterly loyal and vastly loving creatures, you probably think that dogs don’t have facial expressions. You would, of course, be absolutely wrong. If you have a dog or are a dog lover like most right minded people, you’ve learnt to identify various doggie expressions ranging from happiness to sadness to puzzlement to eagerness to….some they only know!
Love, love, love
That dog loves you so very much; without reason, and unconditionally. No matter what you look like, what you sound like, what your IQ is or how you smell. Humans judge, dogs love. It’s as simple as that.
Happy
You simply pick up that leash or reach for your car keys, and that furball explodes in a flurry of tail wagging, a face-splitting grin and pants of anticipation!
Adoration
That look of longing and adoration may be for you but it may as easily be for your domestic help who feeds your dog or for his food dish placed just out of reach.
“I’m ready…”
…To play, to launch a furious attack of affection on you and to finally lick you into submission. That is what this eager and intent expression means.
Puzzled or confused
“Where did that stick go! It was in your hand this minute!” Dogs are bewildered and confused by a great many things… that look is rather difficult to resist, it must be admitted.
Worried
“Was I not supposed to sit on the sofa?” “Are you going out again without me?” Dogs worry about all these things and much more including, “who’s going to feed me now?”
Guilty
Even before you see the broken pot, the chewed up slipper or the mangled notebook, you know that your dog has done something that he or she knows is terrible… because of that look! The drooping ears, the melting eyes… that’s guilt written all over that canine face!
Sad
You only have to start packing a bag and your dog starts to look like this; feeling deeply betrayed and utterly desolate that you’re off. Once again. Without him or her.
Curious
That’s a new smell or person or dish – I’m interested. You said the word ‘walk’ or ‘biscuit’? I’m very, very interested.
Scared
Your big brave dog who guards you and your house so zealously is actually a coward. “O', Lord! Here comes Diwali” or “Oh no! A birthday party with those horrible balloons and those other noisemakers,” he’s thinking here.
