Koko the Gorilla, especially of interest to Sharla and Pacfan

[BoxingGorilla]

Maybe what I mean to ask is, does my dog love me as much as I love him? Say he knows the emotion of love, but is he a taker or a giver?

When I eat he assumes that he will get what I do not want. Part of him knows that there will always be a bit left for him even if it's just a taste.

Once it finds his way to his bowl I'd starve to death before he offered me a bite. So he does not understand sharing despite the fact that he may "love' me.

So what is "love" in a dogs mind? Some people show love by words, some people show love by actions... how does a dog express love? Licking your hand or face I assume his showing love although my dog has not done that since he was a puppy. These days he jumps up into my spot on the couch and looks at me through the corner of his eye to see if I am going to make him get down...

When I bathe my dog or clean his ears does he know I am doing it out of love or does he think I am tortuing him?

I know I sound like a jackass but it's just thoughts I have.