I have been aching to bore everyone with stories about my genius cat.  He is so smart I think about putting him to work...then I realize he's too smart to do it.  If any cat deserved cloning, it's Henry.  It was a crime against the genome when his nuts were cut off.

For those that are unaware, we're dog people in general, and greyhound people in particular. Our dogs have all been retired racers and I usually urge people to consider adopting one if they meet the requirements. The requirements being an awareness of the differences between regular dogs and those in the sighthound category:
Greyhounds have little to no fat, making them indoor dogs only. Being so muscular, they're overly sensitive to regular anesthetics and most rescue groups will recommend that your vet be familiar with a few specialized anesthetics that greyhounds are better at tolerating should they need any. They're not to be let off the leash unless they're in a completely fenced-in area - they can, and will, chase pretty much anything that moves. Some will even go after small dogs and sometimes even waterfowl (mine likes to go after bicyclists {shrug} ). They can run at almost 45mph and can be out of an unfenced yard and into traffic - where almost certain death or injury awaits - in a matter of seconds. There's a few other things, but those are the basics.
What you get in return when adopting a greyhound:
An adult dog that's already housebroken (usually) and is way past all the annoying/destructive stages that puppies go thru.
A dog that is generally very calm and mild-mannered for its size - most weigh between 60 and 80lbs, but it's not unusual for them to weigh 100lbs or more.  Mine weighs in at 98lbs.
They're considered very healthy compared to most purebred dogs (excepting lingering injuries/problems from the track) and have a longer life span (12 to 14 years) than most comparably sized dogs, though they are susceptible to osteosarcoma.
They're generally on the quiet side and not prone to barking, indeed, our first hound only barked a handful of times in his 11 years with us. And following that train of thought, most don't really make a good watchdogs as far as vocalizing, though their size is intimidating to a lot of people. This is one of those YMMV issues as our current hound barks and growls at anyone who comes by, or steps foot on, our property.
They're low-key, laid-back dogs (people often characterize them as 45mph couch potatoes) that like to have fun in spurts but aren't the kind to pester you with always wanting to play (as Labs do). Surprisingly, they don't require as much exercise as you'd think, given their background. Even though they're built for sprinting, they adapt easily to distance running as jogging companions.
They're happy, well-mannered and the maintenance requirements are fairly low. They're also appreciative, intelligent, eager to please, and usually travel quite well as they're used to being trucked around.
They don't do well when ignored or left alone for long periods and some are absolutely not safe with ANY small pets. Even so, many get along well with cats and such and most are tested for cat tolerance before they're adopted out. Greyhounds in colder climates will need a winter jacket when outside for extended times when temps get below freezing. They also benefit from a special collar which is an adjustable, limited-choke type as greyhounds have heads that allow regular collars to slip off easily.
Anyone wanting more info can reply to this comment, send me a private message, or Google for adoption programs in their locality.

Somewhere in my soul, there's always Rock -n- Roll... Joe Strummer

Sure, she may not have as many legs as a real kitten, but what she lacks in legs, she more than makes up for in scales.  Too bad my girlfriend doesn't like it when she's curled around my neck, so she stays in her cage a lot more often these days.

But other than girlfriend issues, a Ball Python is a great pet for me.  Low maintenance, not noisy, only bit me once, doesn't mind that I'm at the office all day or away on vacation for a week.  And she gives the best neck massages, without ever getting big enough to give fatal ones.

(is 3fingerspointback)

No, everyone does not need a pet.

I don't discount for a moment the benefits of pet ownership, but I know I and most everyone here knows of folks who are/were absolutely unfit to be pet owners.  You know the type - away all day with the dog chained in the back yard barking and howling and generally making life miserable for everyone in the near vicinity; the owners whose pet has dope smoke (or worse) given to it because, "it's funny when Fluffy gets all high and stuff"; the pet owners who let their sexually active animal roam the neighborhood; the pet owners whose little Lovekins is so very fucking precious that the owner allows the animal to consistently violate neighbours property; and the pet owners who use their pets as an outlet for their stupidy/rage/generally fucked up psyche.

Pet ownership is a responsibility, and not everyone is responsible.  So, no, not everyone should own a pet; not only out of respect for your neighbours, but especially out of respect to the animals.  

I am allergic to cats. Always been that way since I was a kid, especially since my parents always kept a cat even though I was clearly allergic.

Now I have a dog, a beagle/terrier. She is great, and quite the watch dog, although I doubt she has the takedown ability of a large German Shepard. She was probably abused or neglected as a puppy, and spent the majority of her first year in the shelter. Because of this she has some trust issues with new people, especially some of a certain appearance.  But, because of the bonding after we got her out of the shelter she is fiercely loyal to my wife and I. We got her two days from when they were going to get rid of her.

Can't imagine life without her. She is truly the princess of the house and gets the run of the whole place.

Spread it on!

Boy, am I ever glad that about a year ago I adopted Ranger, a Treeing Walker Coonhound  He has been a joy to live with, even if a bit incorrigible at times.

You can take a look at Ranger here and here.

I didn't even know this breed existed, originally I was looking for a Harrier, but I met Ranger at the ASPCA shelter, and that was it.  I have decided that I need more of them.

sierra tango foxtrot uniform

We've always had a pet around the house.  Over 30-some years, we've owned three beagles, two poodles, two westies, and four cats.  The cats have co-existed with the two westies over the past three years.  The cats are quick and spry and usually like to get just out of reach of the two westies and take turns taunting and tantalizing the dogs.  One of the cats, however, is so in-your-face about his right to occupy space that he'll walk right up to one of the westies and lay down next to him and neither will bother with the other.

We absolutely adore the westies.  They're friendly, frisky, and forever looking to please.  Except for one thing.  They do love to dig a bit (they are terriers after all).  But we either walk them or accompany them to enclosed areas, so their digging instincts can get thwarted.

Illegitimi non carborundum.

I definitely believe that kids need pets.  I think having and caring for pets teaches kids a lot about compassion and empathy.

I always had cats, from when I brought a feral kitten home at the age of five.  I find it hard to imagine living without a cat in the house.

I've always had some kind of cat around, and often more than one. Currently my wife and I have just one cat, who we think is a Maine Coon mix (we got her from a shelter, so we'll never know for sure, but she sure has all the characteristics). We'd like to get an actual pure-bred male Maine Coon (who can argue with a cat that can grow up to 30lb!!), but we're a little afraid that the new one won't get along with the old one, so we keep vacillating.

Ce n'est pas une pipe. C'est une signature.