Will you go away to university? Maybe there will be a shelter nearby there. Since your mom does not want a dog it is better for you and for your future dog to wait until you are settled on your own. I got Sadie before I was really capable of supporting myself and that caused our early years together to be quite a struggle financially. You definitely don't want to get a dog and end up having to give it up because you can't find a dog-friendly home you can afford. Keep that in mind when you feel down.

It is hard to imagine now but, like Karen said, time will pass very quickly.