[SWHouston]

OK... I lied, I can't help but follow along here...

mscat,
You ARE getting support here !

But how about this...

you said that they were "friends of friends"... ok
what about you going over there, and just asking them
to let you keep the puppy for a while (don't say how long)
get their permission for you to take it "shopping" or something
like that, and.......
well just delay its return, they probably won't mind.

Think you could do that ?

Then you'd have it...WITH their permisson....see !