Your post puts me to mind of a car window sticker I saw once, instead of saying "child in car" it said "mother-in law in trunk" lol , sorry to offend anyone who's mom in law is their best friend, Don't get down, some people just don't understand the bond that forms between people and their pets, and educating these people can be very difficult.
Try to keep your chin up, It will happen, If you were near me I would sit for you, so you could pick up your new family member, Hang in there, The good lord always provides.
