I leave my 2-year-old GSD outside while my wife and I are at work/running errands. It is well shaded and good sized. She can run around to the back of the garage where there is a dog-door into the garage. Inside the garage is food and plenty of water. Also inside is a dog house that I have built that has two layers of standard house insulation built into the walls (actually much better than my house). She also has two pieces of lawn furniture that she lays in if the ground is wet/snow, but she doesn't feel like hanging out in the garage or her house. Even when we are home, Gracie will often choose the hang out in the yard so she can keep an eye on the neighborhood.

I really don't see how anyone could describe this as cruel!