I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our beloved 18 year old kitty, Carson, 15 years ago. We could never bring ourselves to "replace" him. Then last year we were "embraced" by the situation of a rescue puppy needing a home badly, so we caved. It has been one of our biggest blessings in a small package
Not only does he bring us such joy, we have brought a loving home and safe, warm place into his world. I now realize our Beloved Carson would have said... "What took you so long? That's your job here on earth, to care for us, and you neglected it for way too long!!"
So I hope you can feel your pain, grieve the loss of your Beloved Friend, but open your heart to keep on giving love to another love-starved rescue. I'm sure it's what your Barkley would have wanted.