Cat ladies explain why cats are better than men

[Catherine]

I noticed that they were playing to a stereotype of single woman with a cat. You are quite right that all other possibilities exist.
Not only have I noticed men or women with a cat or a dog. I have also seen plenty of men or women with a cat and a dog.
Some people on their own have a bird. I have all kinds of things so I am hard to categorize.

I think if we are to get something from the article it is that humans do well with animal companions. For some people the pet does replace a lot of other relationships. This can be a very lonely world and a pet can really make a difference. Serious relationships sometimes just don't work out for people. I think that is where the three women were at. Their cats make up for a lot that they are not getting from people in their lives. Other companion animals would do just as well. They could easily have been men. I guess the fault lives with the writer who chose to draw on stereotypes for  the article. It could have been a more comprehensive presentation of the idea of companion animals meeting human needs.