Well, look at it this way - maybe this WAS fate telling you that, indeed, your family isn't ready to add another pupper - YET.
Maybe you could get your new dog fix by volunteering at the shelter. You could try to match the dogs they have up with prospective homes. Maybe they need someone to look at the applications and find dogs that would fit their lifestyle, call them in and tell them about the dogs you picked out for them. Even if they don't already have a position for this right now, who says you can't suggest it and start it?
You can also use the internet to network for potential homes for the dogs - or to get them into breed specific rescue programs to make room for more local dogs in need in the no-kill shelter. I did A LOT of this for our high-kill shelter when I was in our local humane society and it works wonders!