I've had dogs all thru my 'growing up years' and it seems that all
of my girlfriends and 2 wives were cat people. so I've had both,
most of my adult life. Currently, I live with a 2 1/2 y.o. rescued
from a laboratory cage Beagle, and a rescued (abandoned when he was 6 mos old) 17 y.o. 'kitten'.(At least he still thinks he is).
I'm 'with you' as far as cats go. Sometimes they want nothing else
other than to just be close and touching. The Beagle has the same idea, and it's funny to watch the jealousy between the two- as to who gets the same spot next to me -first..... when I sit down on the sofa.
Cats can be very comforting (the purring gets to me), and
so can stroking a Beagle or a Bassett's ear and head
(so very, very soft and comforting)