ExD ... I can definitely recommend having a small to medium sized dog. Dh and I are aged 68 and quite unexpectedly took on our labradoodle, aged 10 months, two and a half years ago. She is a lab crossed with a small poodle. We had had our previous dog, a sheepdog cross, for 17 years and when she died it was so upsetting that we vowed 'never again'. It was 15 years since our first dog died, but this little dog needed a home and our hearts melted.
When she came to us she was so fragile and so nervous of everyone she met. She has given dh and I a new lease of life and repays our love a thousand fold.
If you feel you can give a needy dog a loving home, please don't hesitate. I don't think you will regret it. We tried to think it through as best we could and this is what we thought:
1. We knew she would take love, time and training before she would totally trust us.
2. We ensured we had adequate insurance for any vet bills.
3. We thought about if we got too old to walk her and decided that if this happened we would hire a dog walker. Not necessarily everyday. A friend has her dog professionally walked twice a week and takes her on shorter walks she can cope with on the other days.
4. We checked that our daughter would give our dog a home if we both died before her.
These are the issues which were important to us. Don't worry about point 4 though as many dog trusts will rehome your dog if it ever became necessary.
We can't recommend including a dog in your life enough Exd. Good luck in your search for an amazing companion. 
Ah, MawBe, there you are, with very sound advice!
I hope you didn't disturb Hattie to get that photo of her looking so alert and ready for action 
Septimia - hear, hear.
Of course a hyperactive greyhound like Hattie here might be à challenge
Seriously these gentle dogs come in a variety of sizes - not all are the size of a small pony -girls especially can be the size of a dainty version of a Labrador.
You are unlikely to trip over a dog that comes up to your knees
They need very little exercise (and on the lead so no charging about)
They are not inbred so have few of the physical or behavioural weaknesses of pedigree dogs
They do not have an aggressive bone in their body and are just so grateful for your company and love.
They are generally fine to be left for a few hours if you need to go out but love your company best of all.
They need next to no grooming - short haired so so mud all over the place and no dog groomer fees
Do please look at a website such as the Greyhound Trust or your local retired greyhound rescue.
Additionally they are retired mostly on account of age (3-4!) occasionally injury ,but also because greyhound stadiums are closing all the time.
Hattie is my fourth - is there a better recommendation?
All my hounds have come house trained, neutered and fully health checked too.
PS they don’t have to be allowed on the sofa - I’m just soft that way!
A responsible greyhound rescue site will take care to match you with the right dog and will provide support and advice if necessary.
You are welcome to pm me if I can give any more specific help.
Actually, "little" dogs can be more of a trip hazard, far more likely to get under your feet!
Septimia, your suggestion of a greyhound is a good one, not everyone's idea of the ideal pet dog, many are drawn towards the smaller "cute" breeds, but they are quite happy with a pootle about at walk time, just make sure you've got room on the sofa, they do like to stretch out!
You could on Mawbe for the inside story!
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