I was watching an older male gorilla interact with a younger one at a zoo, he took him by the arm, gave him an inspection then sent him on his way with a loving smack on the buttocks. It was like any human would interact with a young child they had affection for. We are more like animals than not I think.
I have a cat named Lizzie. She is one of those cats that likes to find things. I can tell from her vocalizations when she has found something she wishes to share with me. She once brought me the end of a ball of string, she was so proud of herself. Unfortunately the other end was still upstairs, lol. She also enjoys music and will sit in back of the TV with her head on the speaker when there is something she likes, she adored phantom of the Opera, for example. On warmer days she sometimes very much wants me to go outside with her, she will come to the window as if she wants to come in, but when I open the door she will drop to the ground and do what I call the "flirty roll", one paw outstretched as if to say "please, please come outside". She will do this three or four times until I give in and go outside with her.