I am sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose your best friend.
I, too, have no kids and am married. Our dogs are our kids!:o My husband and I sent our 16 year old red and white male, Congo, to "puppy heaven" in March. We have an almost 7 year old tri female, Bandit, who we felt was going to die of a broken heart. It didn't take us long to realize that she lost more than we did when Congo was gone. No amount of treats and special attention brought any joy into her life.
We, too, wanted an adult dog. Not being home all the time and other obvious basenji reasons! I signed up for BRAT with the thinking that everything happens for a reason and if it is to be, then let's at least see what happens.
I didn't feel comfortable contacting any breeders right away because you can never "replace" the perfect basenji (Congo really was!!!) . Anyway, I was surprised to get a call not 2 months later from BRAT, "was I still looking?".
A 1 1/2 year old tri male was being placed up because the lady who had him had 2 big dogs and just didn't want him anymore.
Can I just say how lucky we are to have found Hunter? :o He is the most precious little boy who just wanted love and attention. He wasn't abused or neglected, more like ignored. He is now able to get his "puppy" out and just be a basenji, for the first time. We have him enrolled in obedience class and the instructor last night said she was impressed that he has come so far, being a basenji and all!
Not all rescues are "horror stories". If you are willing to put yourself out there, you just might be as pleasantly surprised as we were!:) Good luck in your search!