Goldfish ~ goldfish racing ~ low cost and if your fish “wins” you get to take it home ! 
@Cat_Tap Sending Jingles for this to be a good day for you ~ AO ~
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We currently have 4 dogs over 100 lbs and one small dog, straight out of the shelter system and even flown to our state by Dog is Copilot. We are heading for smaller dogs as the big ones age out; our big GSD hurt his back this spring and at 130 lbs it was really hard to help him. The hair, the food, the impact of a big fuzzy dog is so so much more than a small short haired dog. My little dog is not barky, she is clean, she has some terrier in there that makes her super fun to walk (in griz/wolf/coyote country) and those small companion breeds are called that for a reason. She’s super smart, cute, easy, cheap and totally tuned into me as well as any BC or Aussie that we ever had. My former small dog kept up with our horses on all day rides and as she got older she could ride the horse with me in a saddle bag, she literally did everything I ever need from a dog except the guard dog aspect of a Great Pyranees. I love my small dogs. So much fun happy energy in a small easy to carry and care for package.
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The “tuned into you” is so true–that’s what I love about small dogs, they really lock into their person! I think many of the negative stereotypes come about because some people don’t treat small dogs like dogs.
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Not sure if any of these dogs will work, or if the locations will work, but there are decent dogs available, that won’t mow you down in the yard and need a nice place to land. I am very hopeful that you will be able to assist a dog that needs a gig and that a dog that needs a soft landing will be very, very lucky to find you.
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Might I suggest a Tibetan terrier. Medium sized and looks similar to a small bouvier. A friend had one years ago. Very smart dog, he competed in obedience and agility.
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Bought some new binoculars, I think I’ll take up bird watching. Today is an OK day.
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I love birding. Most of the places around here with really good birding don’t allow dogs. So we’ve gotten better and better at “birding by ear” and learning to recognize the bird calls and songs. When you hear birdsong, it’s like being surrounded by friends.
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If you foster, you are usually the first person on the list to adopt, and if things go well with the dog you are fostering, you and the new dog can be happy ‘foster fails’ - the only time failure is something to celebrate.
And as @Impractical_Horsewoman said, a small dog can be a great choice, and be the companion you want and need. And you can provide the good loving home that dog needs.
There was also the suggestion of a new house cat - one who stays in with you - they make great lap warmers,
and wonderful companions, and so many beautiful cats are looking for a home…
The other thought I had, you mentioned before that you were depressed, and certainly losing Colton, and the routine you had with him, and not having your exercise classes, is going to make you feel rudderless.
But. Your exercise classes are starting soon, so you have that to look forward to, you have the horses there, you have mentioned that you have friends nearby who I am sure are supportive and understand, and would like to help.
@Bluey’s excellent post bears re reading too. The Pete Seeger song using the passage from Ecclesiastes comes to mind - and is a refrain that runs through my mind often, ‘to every thing there is a season’
Perhaps there is some other local group that you could get involved in, something like a walking group, or a volunteer group? Some way of getting outside yourself, and finding new purpose?
You’ve had a big loss, and it is hard being on your own, so as others have said, be kind to yourself.
There are dogs out there and cats too, and one of them will find you! Keep your chin up!
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I am settling down emotionally. There has been a pattern in my life where things happen for a reason. The way I found my farm right after break up with a partner, how I met SO, pool contractor etc. Somehow a new dog will find his way to me.
Have decided fostering is not for me. Spent two hours filling out application for fostering Standard Poodle, first there are several reasons I won’t qualify, I smoke, am too old, pool is not fenced in, no fenced in yard though I do have an 8 by 40 by 6 dog run.
They imply that dog will likely come with problems how will I work with them etc. I began to realize that I after working with a dog, creating a good relationship I would have to give him up. Can’t go through that.
For now I will continue to search, keep watch with local shelters and adopt some poor mut.
Do love the dog on a commercial where his poor toy fluffy is stuck in the washing machine. Looks like a small Boxer. May try to find a Boxer breeder, not necessarily for a puppy but perhaps an older dog needing a home.
The saga continues.
Forgot to mention, I started to play pickle ball again. Played 3 years ago but then had to stop due to surgery, didn’t get back to it as I was so busy with Colton
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“OK” is pretty damn good sometimes ~ IMHO ~
Canter on !
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Out of these there is only one I would even remotely consider for OP.
This is why you have to be very careful. OP, I’d look for places that have dogs in foster homes, so you get a glimpse of how they actually are outside the shelter environment.
Also… fostering does not mean you have to give them up. You, and hundreds of other people, can be a “foster fail” and keep the dog. 
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Believing in fate I came to the conclusion that I had to adopt Colton to save a child from being hurt. The family also interested in Colton had three children.
BTW I do want to mention again I appreciate all the suggestions and have considered all of them. Keeps my mind busy and provides a way forward.
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My Boxer was my heart dog, loved her to the moon and back, I think one would be a great friend 
A clown would be a nice change.
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@Cat_Tap - I had totally missed your other thread and did not know about Colton. I am so, so sorry for your loss. I agree with your decision - it is one I also would make when faced with that kind of situation. Even though it is heart-wrenching, sometimes we have to do what must be done.
Take your time on finding a new dog - the right one will come to you. And I love that you are playing pickleball! I am going to start taking lessons this fall and although I am concerned about how hard it will be on my knees, I can’t wait. 
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Yeah, no offense to those dogs, but all of those are exactly the types of dogs I would not recommend for the OP. Except maybe an 8-year-old beagle.
OP, a boxer is a very high-energy dog. My neighbor’s girlfriend’s mother (I know, confusing relationship chain) had one, and he was absolutely bouncing off the walls of the fenced-in yard. The woman used to bring him over because he was going crazy in the house with her elderly mother.
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Even the beagle is a hell no for me. Says right in there that he tracks stuff. That’s code for “can’t call him off, kiss him goodbye, no recall.”
The first one, the 2 year old. If he has a confirmed recall, he seems fun. But still is an eeeehhhhhh maybe, maybe not…
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Hell no to the beagle. They really can’t be off leash. The nose leads them to precarious situations.
Sounds like OP likes a trainable dog, stays close, focused on its people, and likes a bigger dog.
Have you looked at a herding dog maybe a corgi or even a Shetland if you can tolerate the hair.
I love my heeler mix but they can be iffy.
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An acquaintance has a litter of Shetland Sheepdog puppies ready to go to homes. They are adorable little bundles of fluff right now. I believe both parents are AKC champions, and and as others have posted, to do well in the show ring, temperaments have to be pretty stable. Shelties are highly trainable but drawbacks are they are very, very vocal and they also require a good bit of coat maintenance. But a well-bred and well maintained one is a truly gorgeous dog!
Edited to add that the dam hasn’t been shown but she is from a long line of champions and has siblings who have either finished their titles or are on the way to doing so. The dam is however a certified Psychiatric Therapy dog and has a superb temperament.
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And they are absolutely precious as puppies.
I mean if you have pics handy ….
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