I currently have a big dog. If I lived in the country, I would also have cats. Had them in the city..DO NOT like cat box!!! And the one cat didn't like it much either :evil: :evil: And the dog likes to eat cats..to the tune of $250 to get poor old Peanut's hind quarters stitched up..he lives with my daughter now!! I've also had horses, sheep,chickens, rabbits, ducks, gerbils, mice,chameleons and fish. :!: As far as a quilting assistant..I think I prefer a dog.