I know how hard it is when you lose a furry member of the family.
It's hard for others who do not consider a dog as family to understand.
I have lived with dogs in my life for about 60 years, and it always hurts as much when we have to say good bye. It's the hardest and last love we can give them, to hold their paw just to the last.
Now I am a senior citizen, I adopt sweet senior dogs, well, they become sweet after a bit of good treatment and love. Most have had horrible lives before they came to me.
I also have my partners dog, after he passed on a year ago. I promised I would care for his dog, and I was his sisters owner, on the dog passports. But poor Bob, after losing his beloved master, his sister fell ill and I had to put her to sleep. He had also been attacked a few years ago, losing his bottom jaw!
He is doing better than I am with these losses, but the poor beagle x I adopted, well, Bob has not bonded with him although they get on.
Franky was on a chain for 9 years,in Portugal, and starved of all. He is now sweet and cuddly and quite well behaved.
I would never suggest replacing a dog, as they are all different, and having another dog in your life is something that can only happen when you are ready.
But if, like me, you decide to let one in, and are afraid of him outlining you, think of the senior dogs who are never adopted (puppies are SO sweet), and desperately need a basket for their Twilight Years.