*sigh* Need Some Advice

Our last cat died in August of 2001 at the ripe old age of 17. Our dog passed away last May at almost 14 years of age. We currently have three cockatiels and a guinea pig named Mr. Wilson, who belongs to my twin daughters.

I miss having a cat.

I do NOT miss stepping on cold hairballs in the middle of night, my houseplants chewed to bits, and hair and litter tracked all over the house, not to mention cleaning the litter box. I especially hate it when you have another soul that you love so much and it hurts so much when they pass on. I just don't know if I'm up for that again.

And yet I miss that companionship and unconditional love. Sharing a piece of lunchmeat, or when they come looking for you to sit in your lap. Having another living thing in the house when I'm all by myself (which is most of the time anymore).

Compounding the problem is the fact that my mother and my twin daughters volunteer at the local no-kill cat shelter, and it just breaks my heart to even spend ten minutes in there. The older cats just kill me because no one seems to want an older cat, and that would be right up my alley. So many needy, loving cats, and I have the room, time and finances, and I am SO hesitant and I don't know why.

For every reason that I can think of to adopt a cat, I can think of a reason why I shouldn't.

I am really seriously conflicted over this, so please.... some kind of a rational argument one way or the other would be greatly appreciated.