My ex and I usually had a cat, and got a German Shepherd when the kids were old enough. When we separated, I kept the dog (who was old and blind and crippled by that time and died after a year) and my ex kept the cat, which had been my middle son's (kitten we got him as therapy when he had anorexia/bulimia). Middle son was gone to college and never did live in a place where he could take this cat, as she was used to going indoors and outdoors and son lived in cities where a cat would have to be indoors only to be safe. So ex has had this cat for the last 11 years.
I didn't get any new pets when I moved into my new house but my youngest son has a dog which we adopted as a puppy to help my son's depression (he's been a lifesaver and is the best little dog ever) and my oldest son who also lives with me has a black cat. I get enough pet time without the responsibility which is ok by me for now. Maybe when I retire I'll think about getting a dog.
