Is she... "happy"?

So Faye is almost 14 weeks and is the light of my life. When I get home she has a big smile waiting for me and tons of corgi kisses. I don't want to personify her too much but it makes me wonder... does that smile mean she's... happy? Do dogs feel emotions like happy and sad? I can't imagine that it's the same for them as it is for us but at the same time... it's a smile! Just something to wonder I guess.

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Comment by Tovah on August 26, 2009 at 1:05pm: Of course they're emotional! They can be happy, sad, fearful, angry, depressed, excited . . . . part of living with a dog is tuning in to them and learning a mutual language that goes beyond words. You might consider reading the short book "Barking: the Sound of a Language" that helps you understand some of Faye's language. But surely, Faye knows you're her "people" and she's glad to see you when you get home!

Comment by Deanna on August 24, 2009 at 8:03pm: Of course dogs feel emotion! It's written all over them from their eyes to tail! With dogs, actions speak much louder than words!

Comment by Beauty and the Beast on August 24, 2009 at 4:29pm: I know what you're saying. I think they can feel emotions. Shiro looks very happy when one of us comes home, jumping all over the place. Now, sometimes he stretches his lips even further and it does look like a smile. Last time he did it we were at the vet who said that some dogs do it when they are nervous.
When Shiro was sick with Giargiasis he looked very sad. His eyes were not as bright and the expression of his face was like " I feel so bad". I think he wasn't actually sad but rather weak and maybe his tummy hurt.
Your post made me think, I'm gonna go google dogs emotions :)