I'm sorry for the loss of Dakota. He loved you all and was loved in return. If you're wanting a new furkid, why not visit the local animal shelter or the Humane Society shelter. All of my dogs were adopted from one of those two places. Most will let you visit with the dogs and see which one picks you out. That's right, I said "picks you" because my best dogs picked me, not me them. They would come up to me and interact with me in a friendly way. One of them approached me and put his "arms" around me in a hug. You'll know when you find the right one.