I have a very soft spot for calico cats. I think they have a great attitude. Loyal, affectionate, never nasty (if treated well!). I have also only had female cats, and spayed them very young (my last one was spayed at 9 weeks!) and I think that makes them less crazy. I do not like Orange Tabbies -- they get lazy and fat and I've never met one that's nice -- stand-offish, extremely independent, just not friendly.
From a dog perspective, I've only ever had large dogs (a standard collie and now an English shepherd), so I'm thinking those would probably be too large for you. But I do like English Springer Spaniels (a medium-sized dog) and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (more of a lap dog). I also LOVE standard poodles -- but they, too, are very large (but they don't shed!).
Whatever you do, don't get a Jack Russell or a Beagle -- they're NUTS!!!