Does Your Dog Lick Your Face?

Well, I certainly give Parental Unit a kiss on the nose now and then. And when she comes home from work, I'm right at the door to lick her hands, even if I have a toy in my mouth.

So what's so bad about that? According to this article in a recent New York Times, it comes down to...well, germs. It seems that canine saliva carries lots of bacteria and viruses that the human immune system may or may not be able to handle. This recent article explains why some veterinarians are adamant that we should avoid dogs' saliva whenver possible.

On the opposing side, there appears to be little risk of transmitting disease if both the person and dog are healthy, and the human skin does not have cuts or abrasions. There are dog lovers aplenty who are willing to take that risk, and Parental Unit is one of them. Of course, she avoids direct contact with my mouth, but kiss my snout she does, and she appreciates my kisses in return—why she even asks for them!

Let us know what you think about slobbery dog kisses—yay or nay?

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