don't consider myself a newbie, but could you PM me more info on the second image? 18 years of living with dogs and I've never thought to associate that with friendlyness.

Though I dont see that expression as a threat either. So it was clear that the dogs intentions were not that of aggression.
same here, I am no newbie, owning a fear aggressive dog I had to learn dog body language fast and know it well. Misty does that face all the time though, and the ONLY times she has made that face has been when she is nervous..example when I had her at school with me a few years ago, she had the look the entire time..as she hid behind me like a shy child lol