What the $%@*#&%@ is a smarl, anyway?

We used to have a dalmatian named Pfeffer. She was neurotic, but very lovable. We had to give her up, as we learned her neurosis was not harmless.

Very often dalmatians, and some other dogs, will raise their lip and show their teeth when they are happy. It's a smile, because they're happy, but it looks very much like a snarl. Get it? We didn't make it up.

Pfeffer did this a lot. I hope she still does.