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!