Jan you are right about not replacing, never could do that. Each dog has a unique personality. 5 years for me and my youngest son asked if we could give Mack a home. I still was not sure about another dog but, here we are years later and 2 dogs. Boys are gone and the dogs and I are here. They are so much company.
My dogs never live in our run either. In the house or go in the car or, stay at the dog camp if we go for the weekend.