Glad to hear you worked out what was the most probably cause of his growling. I'm sure you're right as it is probably him saying he doesn't like it cos he has no control when he's picked up!
Jovi used to growl when you picked him up, but as he wasn't allowed out because of his innoculations, and he didn't like to be left, he had to suffer it, but the noise he made left you in no doubt how he felt about it.
As they get bigger you generally pick them up less and less, because they get too heavy, and now only pick him up to put him into the boot of the car, into the bath, up for grooming/drying etc (the wuss won't jump into the car has to be lifted
) .. He is now alot more tolerant of it and you can even get a nice cuddle out of it, as long as you don't mind getting a good face wash !!!