IF THE HOUSE IS GONNA BE EMPTY HALF THE DAY. . .

DON'T GET A DOG OR ANY OTHER ANIMAL!  THAT'S CRUEL, AND THE MUCH ABANDONED PUP DOWNSTAIRS FROM US IS DRIVING ME CRAZY FROM AN EMPATHIC PERSPECTIVE, BARKING OUT OF LONELINESS FOR HALF THE DAYLIGHT HOURS!  I'D OFFER TO SIT HIM/HER IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE CATS LIVING HERE!