@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.
Ms. Rita Jean:
I have yet to locate the off switch on any Basenji and I've been around them since I was a baby. When you find it, you will let us all know, right?