Rick, if you get a puppy you won't have time to think about it.
I let the emergency vets handle all of Camber's arrangements, no ashes, and didn't even keep the collar. Have enough trouble fighting off the hoarding gene, especially when it makes me want to cry.
My SIL brought by one of her grandsons to play with Pepper. His family has chickens but won't let him have a dog. He is six. When SIL told him taking care of a dog was just like feeding, watering, and cleaning up after the chickens. He said, "Yeah, but you can play with a dog." Think I would have caved. He and Pepper chased around in the yard for about 20 minutes. Now Pepper is doing the hard crash puppy nap thing.