I also forgot to add somethings.

Even if MariaM goes to a shelter and mingles with the dogs, and finds one that seems to suit her, without research there could be other qualities in that dogs breed that she wasn't ready for because it didn't come out of the dog when it was at the shelter.

But I would maybe suggest going to a local shelter, and if you find a dog you like, maybe research it first, or if its mixed research the breeds that are in it, because most of the time the breeds are alot like books and things say about them.