Some thoughts:
My BP ~loves~ her privacy.
She ~loves~ me for allowing and providing her that privacy.
Emotions are also called feelings, right? If one can feel, one can emote. Anything with a nervous system can obviously feel. It's a matter of opinion whether or not to think that "to feel" equates with "having feelings." I think that love is such a strong emotion for humans (and other mammals), because we are warm blooded and feel that blood very strongly in our hearts, and therefore the nerves that are deeply connected to that circulatory system. Snakes are built so differently. Being cold blooded, they have no warmth to share with others like we do. They express their love toward places in their environment that provide warmth and safety.