I own two Muscovy ducks and they are darlings! (This photo was from they were just little ducklings.) Ducklings will actually take you for their mothers and follow you EVERYWHERE. This probably isn't what you're looking for, though...
I've only heard good things about pit bulls, so go for it! As for cats... I used to like cats, but if you're an active person, you might want a dog. I don't want to upset any cat-lovers, but it just feels like dogs love you more. It is like that old joke: when you pet a dog, it thinks, "you're God." When you pet a cat, it thinks, "I'm God."