You have an excellent attitude for somebody your age. I am still very optimistic about your situation. You and I are crazy, we worry about our animals like they are our children. My first baby beagle who is now 14 years old was given to me as a present by my late husband, the other two are her children. They are 13 and 12. How the hell am I ever going to find good homes for a one eyed dog with arthritis and two older dogs that have likely inherited cancer from their father. My youngest dog that is a miniature American Eskimo is 2, he will come to Australia with us if we are forced to go. The ferrets and the birds I won't have any problems with because they will easily fit into any home together. My dogs cannot be separated, they are a pack. This is what is making me sick. My houses and car I will easily sell, and my job I will give up without a problem as I will have more than enough money to carry me until my retirement kicks in and my husband would just love to support me, but the animals they trust me.
I am real happy you had a great Christmas. I hope we can celebrate your New Year with good news. I don't think your case is about discrimination. In all honesty I think it had everything to do with your husband allowing his status to run out and then the two of you marrying with him getting implied status as a result. It was a mistake that a young couple would make. If you were my age, then there would be no excuse.