I wonder which is a better companion for language learning? I currently like to walk the dog and listen to a podcast or audiobook. On the other hand, it's more difficult to make arrangements for a dog to be looked after when you want to travel. At the end of the day, cats win the competition for language companion simply on the basis of the old Irish poem about Pangur Ban:
I and Pangur Bán my cat,
‘Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.
And the following (I believe) is the original:
Messe [ocus] Pangur bán,
cechtar nathar fria saindán;
bíth a menma-sam fri seilgg,
mu menma céin im saincheirdd
(Source: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2013/10/pangur-ban/)