I grew up on a farm. We always had one dog, and numerous cats. Even an assorted sheep, goose, or whatever. But they never came in the house. We tried a house dog when we got married. Didn't work, it's definitely not the same. I just don't enjoy animals in the house, and that may be a mouse, or the cat that could catch it. (And lay it next to my chair) . But I understand those who do, my daughter had Kaiser the Cat, which I and another daughter lived with for three I days in a rental truck from Medford OR to so MN. Let's just say Kaiser was a dominant spoiled cat, who did not take kindly to I80.