I was a dog guy for the first half of my life. Even trained 'em for a living in my 20s, but cats, I've learned, are really wonderful. As the other posters say, they're a better bet for someone who is away from home. However, don't be fooled. While they can tend to themselves better than dogs can, cats are extremely social animals. Ideally, you might consider getting two young kittens at the same time. You'll be in for a lot of fun, and they'll keep each other company if and when you travel.
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"Light it up, Popo." --Levi Leipheimer