There are pros and cons. We have 1 dog, 2 cats and a tortoise . The puppy arrived 2 weeks after my husband had had a major stroke. The decision to have the puppy was one of the hardest ever and involved me giving up teaching in school. My husband could focus on nothing other than having the puppy after we had just lost our dog at a young age to stomach cancer. I chatted it over with my husband's consultant and GP, who both stressed what wonderful therapy animals are. My husband came out of hospital in a wheelchair. His whole focus to get walking again was for the puppy. The first year after his stroke, his walking improved and by the end of that year we were doing very long walks. Now his walking has declined, perhaps due to small vessel disease or various heart problems and he has to walk very slowly and avoids hills. He would be unable to walk the dog by himself, unable to pick up poo or even get through the front door whilst holding on to her lead. However every morning she leaps into his arms for a cuddle. His face lights up and he relaxes. She provides entertainment, love, distraction and laughter. However, I do worry about any further hospitalisation and leaving her, but you know what there are ways around all of these things. Friends from dog walks, dog classes, pet sitters etc... For us, it has been the right decision