I remember about your loseing your other dog. Sad. Animals are such good company especially when we live alone. They soon feel like family.
My older daughter & hubby had a black lab for many many yrs--they had to put down. They buried the dog in their yard & all the kids came over when they did. It was like loseing a family member. People sent them sympathy cards. They said--no more dogs now. But 3 yrs later--they have adopted a nice little dog--part black lab & they are happy with her.