I don't like dogs in the house, yet everyone we are related to has them. Some have at least two dogs "in" in the house. These are not small dogs. I I find it irritating when they are all over me, slobering, rubbing, wagging big tails, tripping me. Huh.....
Give me a nice gentle house cat any day. We have two right now. That's enough. They get along great and even sleep at the bottom of the bed sometimes. Unlike dogs, cats keep themselves really clean all the time. You don't have to "walk" a cat, and you can leave them alone for longer periods of times.
As far as cat breed, we stick with domestic short-hairs, with gentle personalities. Our year old cat is not a lap cat and is very independent, yet she is loving. The younger one is still a kitten, but she loves to play, even by herself, and she is definitely a lap cat. She's very affectionate. Both cats are also females and are always indoors. My sister has a male cat that she loves, but they do have "extra" problems. Of course we take care to have our animals "fixed", and all their shots and things at the vet. There is a lot of responsibility involved.
It's fun and enjoyable to have a pet(s) that give you unconditional love. (It's lots of work too. I'm in charge of the litter pan, food and water, and trips to the vet and meds, etc.) I really don't mind at all!
"Ginger" and "June" seem happy to be with us too!
Karen