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.

[Sharla]

I would guess that probably - like a child not wanting a bath - having to have one wouldn't feel like love. People do not always understand that things they do for each other are out of love either.

As for whether your dog would give you any food - probably not because he knows you can always get it and he doesn't think it's his role to show you love that way. Cats will often 'give' their owners presents of food though - nor realizing that a dead rat is not exactly appetising!

I read a true story about a woman who was running in the desert and fell. It's in a running magazine I have. She broke a few things (can't remember the exact injuries) but her dog stayed by her side for 3 days until she was rescued. The dog's body heat kept her alive at night when temperatures dropped - which was amazing in itself since she had very low body fat.

When rescuers finally came to her area it was her dog which led them to her. She was so delerious she was angry at her dog for walking away when he did that thinking he'd left her but he knew what he was doing!

If your dog really sensed you were in trouble he'd do whatever he could to help you. I think he probably knows you love him!