I know our Pomeranian loves us, almost everything he does says so. Dependence plays a large part, though. He needs us, and we take the best care we can of him, including affection, and he returns the affection always. He doesn't like us to leave him home alone, and he loves it when we come back home, getting all excited. The lines between dependence and love are a tad blurry, but I feel absolutely safe in using the word love. I highly doubt if our dog would be anywhere near as affectionate with someone who treated him with just the bare minimum care, let alone neglect him.
