I'm a cat person, i got to admit that i never could resist a kitten nor cat, they're one of the most independent creatures we hold as pets, yet, when you're lucky, they can also be the most loving, gratefull pets.
My cat is free to roam the world, she can check out whenever she wants, but she chooses to stay, if that's not a sign of affection, then i don't know what is ;)