We are animal poor from having so many and because a few are seniors. We have our old boy Fred, who is my hubby's dog, but my little princess Sophie (Boston Terrier) and Edgar (Bull Terrier) supply me with enough love and cuddles to almost make my worst depression bearable. They are glued to me every night when we are watching TV and I couldn't imagine life without their cuddles. Sophie and Edgar are my dogs and Fred and our cat (Chloe) are my hubby's babies, and he still has a couple snakes (baby ball python, and a corn snake we hatched)

What I will say is that if you get a dog, make sure to get one whose age/activity level can match your depression. What I mean is to find a dog that can sleep most of the day away with you while you are depressed, with minimal exercise or a small breed that is easy to exercise throwing toys around in the house.

Our older dogs like to sleep and cuddle all day with only short play sessions, but my bully Edgar runs my life--it pretty much revolves around him. He is a VERY energetic dog and is like having a toddler. Not a breed I'd recommend for 98% of people I know. Even when I'm depressed, I have to have activities planned for him for most of the day and he MUST be entertained. He's the kind of dog who caved in a wall chasing a ball down the hallway, and the comments I get from people are that he's an awesome dog but they don't know how I do it. He will only sleep for part of the day and needs to bounce off walls for the rest. My little Sophie on the other hand is perfectly behaved, affectionate, quiet and I never really had to train her. She is just a perfect little dog. Edgar is giving me grey hairs but my heart flips every time I look at him.

Also, no matter how depressed and agoraphobic I get, I have to take my dogs out to pee, which I HATE doing when I'm depressed, even in my own back yard since neighbours could see in and could potentially talk to me when I want nothing more than to hide. Cats can be indoor only. Some toy breeds too, but it's nice for them to get outside too.

Dogs are needier than cats and that is something to consider. They are not as independent and they can have behaviour problems if their needs aren't met. That said, I'm definitely more of a dog person, although I love all animals and have had everything from dogs and cats, to boas, pythons, colubrids, monitors, chameleons, geckos, as well as parrots and all sorts of rodents.

Just plan for something easy enough to look after when you can barely look after yourself unless you have some support or someone else who will be sharing the chores. For dog chores poop needs to be cleaned, often barf as well, toys picked up, coats groomed, nails done, floors covered in hair and drool and footprints, blankets laundered more frequently, and there's more to think about in keeping supplies on hand. I can't tell you how many times we've run out of dog food, and I'm so depressed I can't go to the store. In my case, my hubby does it so it's no big deal, but if I lived alone it would be a challenge that way...

Lots to think about. I think animals are well worth the effort and money they cost to keep and couldn't imagine life without mine, but there is the responsibility to consider as well since it's not fair to get them if you won't be able to look after them. If you can do it, it's well worth it in my opinion.