Absolutely, animals can love.. if I have learned one thing it's that! I am even beginning to think almost any animal or creature can love.. or form a bond... I went to a koi show at the weekend, (unintentionally!) and these fish were massive... now I keep fish... so I know that unless a fish is really, really trusting then you won't be able to catch it and transfer it without damaging it.. And I know fish can tell the difference between the person or persons they like and those they don't...
My son used to have a pleco... it hated me.. and knew I was scared of it... but it was fine with him.. I have siamese fighting fish, very friendly and come to the front of the tank to interact and once you have their trust you could catch them in your hand...
I had a goldfish like that. He would take food right out of my hand and follow me when he saw me come into the room. My Lulu and I are joined at the hip and she holds my heart in her little paws.
Animals can love! I'm convinced. I think anyone who has ever had one as a pet, no matter what it was (like you said, Adaydreambeliever, even with fish!) feels this way. It's a different kind of love than human love, but it's simpler and more pure. Sometimes I think it's better that way. Regardless, animals are blessings and we need to protect them at all costs.
Element 99 