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I remember years ago my wife and I adopted a dog at the local animal shelter. It was the first dog my wife ever had. She lovingly bathed it, and pampered it. About 2-3 weeks later, while I was out of town, she called my company, who had to search me down. I called my wife and it seems the animal shelter called, and told my wife the story of the owner of the dog coming in looking for his dog. They told my wife that the man wanted his dog back, apparently the man was also disabled, but they also told me because the dog had remained in the shelter for the required time before we adopted him, that my wife was under no obligation to return it. My wife was crying and crying about it. I emphasized with her, but I asked her what was the right thing to do in this case? I told her, yes, she had fallen in love with the dig, but the dog had an owner who was also crying because he wanted his dog back. My wife told me she knew she had to return it, but maybe I would convince her not to do so. Boy, was so sad about it all. The animal shelter offered to come and get it, but my wife told them, no she would bring it back to the shelter, saying the final goodbyes from there. It broke her heart to do this, and my heart was broken for her.
A few months later we found another dog, a cocker spaniel/golden retriever mix that brought much joy into my wife life.

What a heart-wrenching story. We have only had 'strays' who became members of the family. I cannot imagine giving one up after bonding with them, but you did the correct thing as did your wife. I am glad it worked out. Tell her she is brave beyond words.