Depending on the size of the building, one or two dogs may be reasonable, but other than that, this is a good answer. I've always had cats, and living without them seems hard to imagine. My sister's dog took a liking to me, though, so I like dogs as well (even though I prefer cats). If nothing else, pets provide a topic of conversation. Also, nothing beats a good watchdog for security and protection from burglars and robbers. (The dog would have to be one that would not be a threat to any children, of course.)