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My father-in-law, deceased, used to tell a story about dogs’ tails to our children when they were little. It went something like this:

Once upon a time there was a ferocious war between the dogs and the cats. The dogs had grown tired of the cats’ stalking and surprise attacks on them during their naps. So, one day, the dogs barked a secret message in a language not understood by the cats that there would be a ‘strategery’ meeting at the local CVW (Canine Veterans of War).

As the dogs-of-war arrived for their secret gathering, all removed their tails. They then hung their tails on the hooks just inside the door to the CVW meeting hall where the posted sign read, “No dog tails allowed.” Snarling and growling with contempt for those danged ol’ cats, the dogs began planning their next move.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a spy in their pack. This spy had conveyed the dogs’ meeting time and location to the feline leader. All of a sudden, the dogs heard hissing and ‘yeowling’ and scratching from outside the building. The cats were there! As the dogs hurried to escape the feared feline claws, each dog grabbed the first tail within paws’ reach from the hallway hooks.

And this is why dogs always sniff each other’s butts when they meet: they are looking for their own tails.