DR Cilla, I expect you know this already....I don't remember who suggested a shag carpet but I highly suggest you don't get one with cats. They are a complete pain to clean up fur balls & everything else a pet might accidentally leave in the carpet. 
Well I carried the 32 pound boxes of floor up to the car...10 trips up the stairs, I was actually quite proud that I broke a sweat but my heart wasn't pounding like it would have been a few months ago.
I was very happy that Home Depot took them all back including the open box. I also took back the table saw and the high quality blade I needed to do the laminate.
So, after the return was complete I went to the carpet department. I'm on the list for a measure (they'll call in a week or so) and found the perfect carpet for the room. I brought home the sample and it goes well with the paint, with the wall paper I got for the hallway and with the lined insulated curtains that my mom gave me to cover the slifing glass doors. I haven't actually ordered the carpet so I can still change my mind but I think this will be just right. And have no fear, DR Jane, it's not shag.
What a relief. It'll take a month to 6 weeks but