Dude, dogs are a pain. My parents still have my dog, a German Shepard.
When my wife and I got together some 8 years ago, I moved in with her and her parents, and thus could not take my beloved friend. We have since been in our own place some five years now and my parents still have my dog (who is now 10 years old) because we both work full time and the house is empty for like 9 hours a day. It would be very unfair of us to leave him in the house all day on his own.But.
When we got our own place, my wife decided it would be nice to have a cat or 2, so we have 2 Siamese that we have had since we moved in.
They feed themselves, entertain themselves, they go to thier own toilet, and they sleep a badword of alot. They are basically, problem free, and two of the most loving cats u would ever want to meet.
My point is, dogs are ok if u can take them out alot, spend lots of time with them, otherwise they get depressed/chew your house to bits.
Cats look after themselves. done. Oh and our little siamese is really a dog, fetches toys when u throw them, growls at the postman, attacks strang people (or those she dont like). And occasionally we take em out on a lead!!
hope I aint confused ya too much!