I'd say cats are different, I have two and when I get home they run after a laser pointer for 30mins and then they're pooped. Plus they snuggle and sleep with me so that's bonding time as well

Yeah I love alone and have a career where I cannot work at home. Sometimes I think about getting a pet, but I just can't see it as being ethical in my situation. Sometimes I do ponder getting a cat though as they seem more independent, but I don't have much experience with them.

A cat has to go for a lap sit several times a day.

You can have indoor cats. They sleep like 20 hours anyway.

My job is 12 hour shifts plus an hour commute each way. This is a big part of why we haven't already gotten a dog. Well that, and also until a few months ago we were in a pretty small apartment. My wife is home more than me, so we're considering it, but I want to try to time it so that I'm off and there more early on for adjustment period and training.

Humans don't deserve dogs. I want to be the kind of human who can almost disprove that fact.

I had an ex who wanted a dog. I wasnt like super adamant, but i was strong NO. Because I didnt want to walk a dog twice a day. Did I relent? Yes. Did she step help to help exercise the dog? No. Did I walk that dog every day until she broke up with me and kept him? Yes.

Did you need all this information? Maybe?

Yep my dog needs 1+ mile in the morning and at least 2 miles in the afternoon for optimal health - bowels, muscles, etc. He's 7 now and acts like a dog half his age.

Then some of my friends are like "I try to take mine around the block at least once a week" and I am sad for their poor dog.

Hard to find good dogsitters who will actually take them on long walks too.

My neighbours were like that. I saw them walk their dogs once in 10 years.

Their dogs are long gone and mine turns 18 in July.

That's a familiar username! Are you the same poem_for_your_sprog that was on Reddit?