Have been considering getting a dog or a cat, even though I live in a no-pets building and my landlady lives downstairs of me. Have even gone as far as to look for new housing so that I can get a dog, but realized that this would cost much more money than I really have. So now am considering ways and means to twist arm (metaphorically speaking of course) of landlady to let me get cat. I have mice in the apartment. I think that's reasonable. We've put all sorts of mouse traps over the last year and that has yielded nothing. I have, on the other hand, tossed out, thrown away bags and bags of flour and rice, after finding out that the mice have gnawed into the bottoms of these bags. I have also paid lots of money to tupperware already, purchasing not only stock but also lots and lots of different types of tupperwares so I can safely keep my flour and rice away from those stupid mice. I think those are good reasons to have a cat.
My real reason for having a cat or a dog however, is so someone will lick my face, cuddle me, and greet me whenever I get home.