I really shouldn't take on any more animals.
My son is an "only child". Through his dad, he has half-sisters 20 years older than he is, so for all reasonable consideration, he is an only child.
An only child can be a lonely child. Especially if the parents part ways. As we did. And as he was.
So I filled my child's life with lots of pets. Mostly cats. And some dogs. But dogs are harder to deal with, IMHO. I mean, I dealt with lots of diapers and toilet training and snot and vomiting with a human being! Why should I also deal with puppies? Kittens and cats are far more independent and dignified and less time consuming.
Well, anyway, it worked. My son was surrounded with loving animals who enjoyed his company, slept on his bed, and anxiously awaited his return from school each day. And generally rejoiced in his companionship. (While I cleaned out litter pans and coped with pet vomit and endlessly walked the dogs.) They filled a void in his life.
Now my son is attending community college full time while living at home and maintaining a half time job as well. I'm working full time as retirement seems an impossible dream at this time. Beloved pets have passed on. We still have two cats from his kindergarden years - one so aged I have to carry him everywhere. But we love him. He's part of our family.
And yet... I just rescued a little dog anyway. I may be old. I may be tired. But I still remember what these critters can bring into our lives. For me, they created a family for a lonely little boy.