Its so obvious the animal lovers in here and the ones that aren't, yes Munkeh it is a way of showing you love, or at least with dogs it is, I read a book called "The dog listener" many years ago and have over the years shared my life with several animals, a timid terrified dog will not lick you for example when you bring him home from the kennels, when they begin to trust their lick is like an affectionate kiss. As usual on here the typical people will reject my response to you, but trust me mate anyone who has shared their life completely and worships their pets have different views to others, Munkeh enjoy.. I however do agree that its a type of putting their scent on you, if I go in the bath or put moisturiser on they start licking me to cover me in their scent again, who cares why they do it as long as we love them and they love us!!"!!