[matese]

If you can afford to have another baby, can you contact your cousin, tell them you would like to keep that baby, see if they can give you the name of the shelter. Call the shelter tell them the story, tell them if your cousin had mentioned to you they wanted to get rid of the dog you would have taken it. Ask that they hold the dog for you as it is a 7 hour trip. I am sure the shelter would prefer the dog is kept with-in the family. I realize having more then one dog can be a burden in many ways. At one time I had 3, then had 2, but I was younger and could keep up with them. I don't know if I could do that today, besides my adopted boy does not get along with other dogs, so I realize there can be reasons you are not able to have another dog.