Why do you have your pets?

I have loved animals since I was a child, and when I first got my cat a few years ago it was a fulfillment of that childhood wish. Cats always seemed mystical and special to me, and with research I found out that they're pretty low maintenance, which suited me. The second cat I just rescued from the streets, even though I'm not in the right situation for two cats. But it was obvious that he wouldn't survive on his own. I bit off a bit more than I can chew, but I would do the same if I had to go through it again.