My aunt akways keeps two dogs on hand, and as a kid, I wondered why. Initially I thought it was because it allowed them to have some "dog" company, and there was that. But what she was actually doing was "staggering" dogs..
There was always an old dog and a very young one. The older pet was there to watch over, teach, and guide the younger one, and he was on deck for when the beloved older dog finally went on that long trip home.
By then the formerly young dog was older (and wiser), so she'd go out and get him a new companion, and the cycle would begin again. I wonder if something like that might be something you'd want to try?
Nah, the wife and I have discussed that once our three dogs we have are gone, we will no longer have anymore. We currently have Bailey which is mine, Luna which is hers, and Burrito which is my youngest sons.