There is a concept every animal owner understands.
It is called “teeth.”
Not aggression.
Not snarling.
Not drama.
Just… teeth.
That tiny little moment when your pet stretches, yawns, relaxes, or simply exists in a way that allows one small canine to peek out from under the lip. Completely accidental. Completely harmless. Completely adorable.
Toby was no exception.
He would stretch and suddenly, there it was.
A small white fang making a surprise appearance.
He would yawn and one tooth would refuse to fully retreat.
He would relax on the couch and somehow, for no logical reason, a single canine would stick out just enough to make him look mildly suspicious.
The funniest part?
He genuinely seemed to believe no one noticed.
There is a photo I took that captures this perfectly. Toby sitting calmly, almost smiling, clearly attempting to look composed and dignified. His lips relaxed. His expression soft.
And right there.
The tooth.
Just slightly exposed.
Just enough to ruin the illusion.
It gave him a permanently mischievous look. Like he had a secret. Like he was about to say something inappropriate at a dinner party.
Whenever I spotted it, I would announce it.
“Teeth.”
Toby would blink slowly, pretending nothing was happening.
And then, because I could not resist, I would reach over and gently touch the little exposed canine.
The reaction was immediate.
A quick lip adjustment.
A subtle head movement.
A look of complete and utter dismay.
The message was clear.
“How dare you.”
He would shift his mouth, tuck the tooth back in, and stare at me with betrayed dignity. As if I had just violated an unspoken agreement between us.
But of course, it would happen again.
Another stretch.
Another yawn.
Another rebellious little fang making its appearance.
And I would point.
“Teeth.”
Classic Toby.
Trying to look refined.
Undone by one tiny canine.