So sorry Barnyard! I am sure it is a sad week at your house.
I have had a similar experience. and it SUCKS!
Regardless of what you decided someone was going to be upset or mad.
Do not kick yourself in the butt, you made a decision, and it was the right one made at that time.
(We can always hope the nephew gets to feeling bad , and brings him back)
Seems like you are the peacemaker of your family, and making peace is a good thing, hard at time but still a good thing.
currently , I have 7 dogs, ( i live at the street, that has the invisible sign that says "drop your wormy, flea invested, sick dogs here" ) My DH LOANED out one of our dogs , while I was out of town on business, and the dog never came back, except for vet care, etc..... That was over a year ago, and I still miss that dog today, and get pipping mad at DH everytime I think about it.