Science fiction (possibly YA) about exploring the dark side of a planet/moon and befriending a pack of feared alien animals.

[Gillian]

I've been looking for this book for years.(and have tried many lists and search options) I read it in probably the early 90's, but I'm not certain if it was a new release then, or just something I scooped up at the library.

I'll include as much as I can remember: A girl and a boy who I think was her brother get stranded/are exploring the dark side of a moon or planet. People never went there because of these packs of predatory alien creatures. (I remember them being described as piebald/mottled and possibly canine-ish) However, through interactions with the pack, the protagonists realize that they aren't as threatening as they seem, and end up befriending them. (they may have been telepathic, or able to communicate with the humans)
I don't recall a lot except a lot of exploring....and they had to cross this dark area to get to safety.
I remember it starting on some kind of space station/school(?) And, a weird detail to remember, the girl comforted a crying classmate and mused about how the other girl could cry and still look pretty, where as she went red and snotty. (odd detail to remember)
I'd love to revisit this if I could. I've managed totrack down a lot of treasured books from my childhood, but this one is still eluding me.
Thank you all for any suggestions!

[Cupcakedoll]

Some details match but not all, so only maybe.

[Gillian]

Cupcakedoll wrote: "

Some details match but not all, so only maybe."

You know, that could be it!
Even if not everything matches, it's also been about 25 years since I read it~so I'm bound to have a slightly fuzzy memory. I ordered a second hand copy on amazon, so I'll find out for sure in a few weeks.
Thank you so much!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

If that is it, be sure to come back and let us know Gillian. Those inquiring minds always want to know.

[Manda]

Only part of this matches (girl/boy siblings befriend mottled/piebald canine-ish creatures on alien planet), but Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep?

It's more adult-targeted sci-fi, though, so not likely to have been read in
childhood.

[Rainbowheart]

Star Hatchling?

[Peter]

Possibly the Janus books by Andre Norton?