The Pet You Never Had

We had a variety of animals growing up. I lived in apartments for most of my life. As a child we had parakeets, a canary, goldfish, hamsters, and a guinea pig. My father also once brought home a cockatiel. Although I had severe allergies, my mother kept a cat for about two years. I didn't get a dog until I was 57. He was adopted... more accurately willed to me when my tenant passed away. The animal, a pit bull, slept with his owner. I never broke him of the habit.
There are times when I think of a pet that would be just nice to have around... a mynah that could talk, a lactating goat, a donkey, Sadly, the reality of caring for them is always present. If you go on vacation, you have to ask someone to care for them for you. Or you need to take them with you. Goats don't travel well.
These days--in addition to the dog--I also have a black longhair cat that was born on my front porch. The housemate who adopted the dog took the kitten from its mother, claiming that she was the runt and would have been starved.
She has thrived.
I don't think too much about the pet that I never had. I fear it might outlive me. And who wants an old mynah?