I work 8 hours a day and am single. I also got a dog when I bought a house after always having cats. Yes, she is alone but I do take her to a doggie day care once or twice a week and try to make sure I play with her when I get home and get her out on the weekends with me. My feeling is that I'd rather an animal have a warm house, food and love even if it's alone part of the day. I'd take that over them sitting in a shelter or roaming the streets hungry and unloved.