Border Collie (my brother has one) or any Heinz 57 (our dog when I was a teen was a mongrel/mutt/Heinz57/cross from the RSPCA). One that I could walk but that would also snuggle. I am a cat person to be honest but dogs are more trainable (using dog-pack psychology of course, á la Cesar Milan) and a dog would be an excuse to get out and walk more often. The only problem would be when I was too ill to go out and walk and hubs was too busy at work but no doubt there is a dog-walking service near here and/or mum might help out.