Well, denak1, it might be that Alfie has matured with age, and that he would now be more inclined to accept a puppy on his territory.
However, it sounds more to me like you have answered your own question really: "...very pampered and dominant" really sounds like he is very aware of his power and position at home, and to be honest I think he would have a hard time stepping down from that. Being older doesn't necessarily mean Alfie will be any more likely to welcome another (younger, livelier, more annoying) dog into the home. He is set in his ways, knows how to get what he wants, and will not enjoy the prospect of being usurped.
It won't be pleasant for the pup you get either, you risk Alfie hurting it, or them really coming to blows.
Maybe they will get on like a house on fire, but the odds are very much stacked against this! If you were to go ahead anyway, maybe he would be more tolerant of a bitch. But why stress him out in his latter years? SOunds to me like he wants to be a lone dog, rather than one of a pair.
Lisa.