Yeah, it's really hard. They have as much individual personality as cats or dogs, you get to know their quirks, favorite foods etc. and love them so much, and then they die so quickly. I miss having pets but couldn't face it again after the ones I had around the time of my father's death died.

Unfortunately my lease doesn't allow for cats or dogs. You can theoretically ask for an exemption if you can make an argument that your pet definitely won't bother the neighbors and try to pressure them about it, but the chances aren't great. (The rental law got changed since my contract in that courts have ruled that blanket pre-emptive bans of cats and dogs for no reason aren't legal, but you still have to ask permission, and then the landlord has to give you a particular reason why you can't get one to deny.)

Chances of getting a cat allowed are slightly better, but a lot of people here think cats have to be indoor/outdoor or you would a cruel monster for confining them to just an apartment. So that would be another hurdle to getting cats.