So sorry about your Jake.
My son has a yellow lab although I have never been a pet sort of person, my son and Rocco lived with us for almost a year and I am now so attached to him. We had him here in his early puppy stage and enjoyed him so much. They are chewers,you have to watch them constantly. He had a time out spot that we sent him to when he did somthing wrong and to this day if hes here and grabs the dishtowel he will drop it in front of me then sccot off to timeout. They are very smart and lovable, and they do think they are a lap dog. If I had to get a pet a Lab would be my choice.