This week's Lick My Face is slightly different. I typed in these three very special words into yahoo and I found that there were a wealth of people on the internet who share what I thought was our unique passion. So, as a tribute to the many brave and wonderous souls who are out there right now having their face licked, here are some of the stories I uncovered.

The sky is so blue, the white clouds are so white. I lay down on my back under the edge of a beautiful weeping willow. I can see the switches sway gently in the wind. Lazily the clouds glide across the sky. I snap a few shots, till the cat comes over and starts to play and purr and lick my face. Pulling her to me, I hug her, she lays her head on me, she is such a suck. The two of us lay there in our loving embrace for a while. I can't really say how long, watching the clouds move and the car purr is so soothing, time just slips by. My sweet sneaks up on me, and tackles me, scaring the cat. Laughing we roll into an embrace and a soft kiss. He informs he we had best get ready, the guests will be arriving any second and we have places to be. It is after all 8.45am.
http://greatestnetworker.com/comunity/myface.tcl?is=22

Are you still with me? I'm zonked. My anger's gone. I hope you know that I was only angry because of the animals I've loved and seen mistreated, or loved and had to kill. I don't want to tell you horror stories, but I'm full of them, and in every case a PERSON was the cause of the pain; people beyond my reach, people who leave trails of pain - dead, mutilated or abandoned animals. We have to follow the trail and take care of the animals. I see more than 1,000 new animals each month. They're very individual. Each one that we can't place is a failure. Some are neurotic or sick and it's best to euthanize them. But the affectionate, playful black kitten who purred and looked into my eyes as he died, the pups who lick my face as I feel their bodies sag, the patient loving dogs, the gracious cats - I wish THEY could write to you. But they can't. So we store up their pain and their love and speak for them - angrily, I'm afraid, which they never would. They would speak with love and trust and puzzlement at being at the shelter, and why they have no person to love and be loved by, which is all they want. It doesn't seem like much.
http://www.critterhaven.org/annie.htm

To say that Gus is affectionate is like saying Pamela Anderson has a nice figure. I was immediately taken with him. I even enjoyed it every time he lowered his head to lick my face. I enjoyed it -- that is -- until after the first night when I heard Gus in the bathroom getting his nightly drink. Then the whole routine took on a new essence.
http://www.seniorworld.com/articles/a19991203202404.html

Oliver North rushed up to him a few hours ago to call him a hero. Some CNBC
lovelies sought his attentions and autograph. And just five minutes ago, in a cab
coming back from yet another television interview, he heard Howard Stern say his name on the radio. "Howard Stern! Howard Stern!" he is exulting. "It was just too cool," says The Fisherman.

Elian may be gone, but Donato Dalrymple, a k a The Fisherman, is in demand.

"Did you know Elian liked to lick my face?" he asks, apropos of nothing.

The thought hangs there while the phone in his room rings and rings. He ignores it. He wants to talk about Elian licking him, for no moment is more revealing about what Elian Gonzalez has meant to the life of Donato Dalrymple, or about how a child's tragedy can become a middle-aged man's deliverance.
http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y00/apr00/27e21.htm

Steve Leonard BVFc, MRCVS
Filming "Vets In The Wild" was a tremendous adventure from start to finish. Driving the Landrover round Africa and working with such fantastic people is an experience I will never forget. Memories that will be with me forever have to include catching a 2m crocodile with my bare hands and letting tame cheetahs lick my face.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/pets/vitw.shtml

From the beginning, he cuddled with me while purring up a storm and claimed me as his mother. He loved to knead me and sweaters. And he used to knead my hair which felt really good. He loved to be kissed on the forehead and petted all over. He would lick my face and bite my fingers. Sometimes he bit my nose real hard. He usually slept with me and would wake me up by putting his paws in my face. He was always there to welcome me home or whenever needed him, for he embodied unconditional love. However, when he was outside, he didn't always come when called.
http://www.best.com/~lynxpt/tributes/gall47.htm

Lehrer, who has not been allowed to visit Taro in more than two years, said he is anticipating their reunion. "Hopefully I'll see the dog Friday when he gets out of prison," he said. "I'll let him lick my face or I'll lick his, one of the two."
http://www.animal-law.org/news/taro2.htm

GUN DOG MAGAZINE, VOLUME 18, NUMBER 5 $4.75
FEATURES

p9: For the Love of the Gun, by William C. Parlasca

p12: Having Puppies, by Joel M. Vance

p24: Giving Pups a Head Start, by Ed Bailey

p32: Grouse in the Mist, by Mark S. Chalmers

p39: Pro Tips, by James B. Spencer

p44: Filling the Niche, by Soc Clay

p52: The First One to Lick My Face, by Jerrald P. Thoms

p60: Multiply Your Excitement, by Barbara Haupt

p63: Blinkinâ Ainât Winkinâ, by Dave Duffey

p72: More on the Shape of Scent, by Bob West

p74: Puppies! Reader Photos
http://www.stovpub.com/gundog/aprmay99/