My dogs used to be inside all the time and slept with us at night. they went out to play and sleep and run around in the yard most of the day Now that we moved into our own place, with white/ beige carpeting ALL over we keep them in the kitchen with open crates and beds. whenever I go home for my two days off, i give them all baths and allow them to sleep with me if Im alone cause I miss them so while im gone for an entire week. especially my baby Venus. when summer comes around, were gonna make the outside independent laundry room their den. then when it gets unbearably hot, inside they go again. beginnerbuddah, dont you have a neighbor you get along with or a friend who lives close by who is a fellow dog lover to help kept an eye out and maybe let him out for 15 min a day for you? I do that for one neighbor. she's a teacher and is gone from 7 am till about 4pm. since im at work and have time, I let her dog out several times a day, give him treats, play tug of war, refill his kong toy with peanut butter, tell him hes pretty and give him kissy till his mommy comes home. if its a nice day out, hes out from like 9 am till she comes home.