@imbj - Thanks for posting this... any treatments for this in dogs is great and great that there is ongoing research ongoing for all cancer in dogs and humans too!
The golden I used to have did similar things w/her ears/eyes when I approached w/a leash. It was a habit formed from years of me sliding a new collar on with the leash attached. She'd squint and pull her ears back in anticipation of the collar being slid over her head.
The smile? I never got that.
@AJs:
See, Dan? First you tick everybody off, now you make everybody cry.
But you're still not getting off the hook that easy. You will NOT be banned and in fact will be required to stay. :D
What?! That's it I'm going back to my stupid jokes!