If my wife dies before me, I will probably get an animal for some sort of companionship. I find I can suspend disbelief and actually enjoy their companionship. My achilles heal though is that I don't tolerate them costing me money. I got my teenaged daughter an Alaskan Malemute and after a few months it chewed a hole in the carpet. Dog was gone in less than 24 hours. That was four years ago - no pets since.
I like other peoples dogs and cats and the darned things seem to naturally gravitate to me. Don't ask me why. If fascinates my wife since she knows how I feel about animals.
>My achilles heal though is that I don't tolerate them costing me money.<
"Heel" is the word. Yes, indeed.