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.
The dog didn't die. He survived. The little dog pulled him to the side of the HWY and the firemen came.
At least that was what was in the first report! Sorry.
I would love to see how Dallas reacts in the snow. He was shivering when he was outside today, in Florida, when it was like 60 out & breezy. Such a weather whimp! I swear when we move back up to VA this dog isn't going to know what hit him…