My Assisted Living allows pets up to 30 pounds and would charge me a one time fee of $500. Living alone as I am I would enjoy the company of a cat. I believe a cat for me would work better than a dog.
@Lon Tanner Major difference between the two is cleanliness and hygiene, then stubbornness. I have seen dogs pee on owners' couches and furniture after jumping up on them, as though intentional. My cat once held off going many hours when it's litter box was inaccessible to it. Cat also buries it's pile meticulously. Mistreat a dog, presently it will return to you, tongue lapping graciously. Mistreat a cat, then you are lucky to see it again. Dog owners own dogs; No one owns a cat. Frank
All the negatives I have read here about pets I agree with which is why I don't have an animal. I have been in a home where a cat walked around a corner an peed on the wall. I have been in a home where a young dog peed on the rug. If no one saw it, it would never be cleaned up. I have been in a home where a dog crapped on the bathroom floor. Those pet owners who can deal with those situations, God bless them. Perhaps you could borrow a neighbor's pet once in a while.
When you posted the above, I thought you were just teasing everyone. You do that sometimes don't you? If you are serious... Cats bred specifically for shallow facial conformation (such as Persians) are prone to more health problems, like upper respiratory tract infection, crooked teeth, upper airway obstruction. Long haired cats tend to shed all year round. Short haired, mostly in the spring.
I have a funny one about cats: My husband adopted a stray cat. I was very disappointed when she began to use the back of our brand new sofa as a scratching post. 'Don't worry, honey!' my husband said, 'I have the skills for training a stray cat!' I watched for a couple of days as my husband patiently "trained" our new pet. Whenever the cat scratched, my husband put her outside to teach her a lesson. Our little stray cat learned quickly. For the next 10 years, whenever she wanted to go outside, she scratched the sofa.
^^^^^Bwahahaha^^^^^ Lon, if you are able to change the litter box, I would say, get a cat. But get a female. They make far better house cats than males. Have her spayed if she is not already spayed. Cats are wonderful company. You will probably need a scratching post. Cats love to climb so one of those climbing posts would be a good idea.