Nice ending.
I tried to give my cat, George, back to the Cats Protection after a week. I was off work with depression, got the cat on the rebound after my dog died and he was an older cat and set in his ways, he was a spiteful monster.
I even emailed the Samaritans and got myself in a mess.
It all worked out though, with work on both sides. He was still the psycho tom cat from hell- but I loved him dearly, and he loved me at meal times.
He is recently deceased at about 18 years of age, I had him only five of those. I like to think that he had a happy final few years.
Good luck with your mutt, they are brilliant companions.
Susan - between cats at present.