As the only pets I have is pigeons would be a bit hard to cuddle but I do remember when small mum bringing in my rabbit for me to cuddle. My dogs have never been the type to cuddle so rabbits and guinea pigs are the ones that got cuddled when I was a child.
When I was younger I enjoyed the being taken care of but as I got older whether it is because it no longer was practical for anyone to take care of me but I tend to want to be left alone more curl up in front of TV with a cup of tea or maybe a whiskey and something and mung out.
I can understand watching the reality shows a little bit when feeling poorly. I've watched a few minutes of them this week, and that's a few minutes more than I typically watch.