We are in a similar boat, both me and Mrs Obi grew up with dogs, greatly want one now we have Mini-Obi but would struggle as our garden would be tricky to make dog proof. Still I think we will get one in the next couple of years and work something out.
This is Annie who I grew up with...
This was our official school photo! Thats how close we were to her. Old English/Black Lab cross. She had pups at the ripe old age of 13 and we kept two which only passed away a couple of years ago.
[check me and my bro's threads circa 1979! Genius.]