I love both cats and dogs (real dogs, not the little rodent "dogs" that are no bigger than cats), and would ideally have both one day. If I had to get a pet right now, though, it would be a cat. They are easier to take care of and I could leave it at home all day without concern.

However, nothing beats a really great dog. My last dog, a pit-bull/lab mix, may have been the best pet I could ever hope to have. The affection and companionship you can get from a dog is second to no other pet.

And I don't understand how anyone can seriously say that cats are smarter than dogs. Dogs (at least the bigger ones; small dogs aren't real dogs) are far more capable of learning and obedience on a whole different level than cats. I've had dogs distinguish between shoes/toys he could and couldn't play with, cats/animals he could and couldn't chase without invitation (he would chase our cats if they initiated the play), and places outside the yard he could and couldn't go on his own without approval -- all with little to no deliberate training on our part.