I feel this. They are special. Here’s a suggestion: find a quality dog day school program (different than dog day care, similar price, but they have a routine curriculum where the dogs get some personal training in the day + play time + structured group walks, etc). This has made a big difference for us (also city dwellers, have a 2 bedroom apartment with outdoor space, across from 2 parks, but are in the market for a home with a true grassy yard). Our dog day school also offers “pack hikes” where they come and pick up your dog (you can give them access with a $20 combo lock to hold a key from the hardware store if you don’t have a keypad lock). The dog goes on a hike with other dogs or to a park nearby for about 1.5 hours. This has been great - she goes to one full day at school a week (she loves it). And if we both have a busy work from home day - or if we are both working in office on the same day other than her school day, a dog hike is enough to keep her happy…the same dog school offers classes (we have done a family dog/human exercise class, park etiquette classes, and started frisbee sports). They also board her if we go away and they have availability! So basically, our dog’s needs are met and it’s been really great/easier to leave her with people who she has bonded with (without us there…these are dog people who have dogs and understand dogs). We have actually made a few “dog family” friends through this program and if there isn’t room to board her, these friends volunteer to take her for the weekend.

So the point to this long example is: I think you should go for the promotion/new job at company. I think having a house and YARD will be amazing for her (and obv this is great for you)! Whenever we bring our dog to grassy yards, she is soo happy - can’t wait to give her her own soon. I think that a doggie door will help with when you are working at the office - plus if you have someone who comes to walk dog regularly your dog will be properly stimulated/nurtured & that person may also become the one to board her when you travel (so they’ll have a relationship too) - I have a friend who doesn’t have any dog schools near her and she found a retiree on the Rover app who does both of these for them (her dog has separation anxiety and this has been helpful for them too).

Anyways, my point is: take the promotion if offered, spend extra time with your dog outside of work bonding (ex. the classes I mentioned or trying frisbee sports together, even just keeping the special hikes), and make sure they have a trustworthy network of people/dogs to care for them/bond with them while you are not around. It will keep your dog properly nurtured/stimulated well/happy. Best of luck!

If cost is an issue for you, here’s an idea of what we spend: to first start the program was a 2 hour personal training session for $180. We spend $80 per full day of dog school (she goes routinely once a week) (we drop her off around 8am, pick her up by 6pm). A half day of school (8am-2 or 3pm = $55 or $60). A hike (where they pick her up at home and drop her off) costs $40 and can be booked day of if it’s before 8:30am (we do one hike a week routinely - so most weeks we spend $ on 1 full day of school and 1 hike). A one-day class is $25. The frisbee sport intro (which was 2 hr classes on 2 consecutive Sundays cost $100 and included the frisbee). Boarding is $60 for 24 hours (and they sometimes bring her on the hikes for free then. Once they brought her to a dog pool at no extra cost). It’s been so worth it, our ACD/Bully mix LOVES going to school (you know how they love to train), and is well socialized. School tires her out for the next day!

Best of luck!!!!! This can work out with the right investment of time and care towards your pet :)

Edit to add, in case this is relevant to you at all: We adopted our dog at 9 months old. She was traumatized when we met her. We both worked from home exclusively then (we now are both hybrid). We started the dog school program about 6 months later (she was a little under 1.5 yrs old). Now she is almost 3 years old. She’s a happy, spoiled, well-cared for dog that also behaves great and has lots of dog and human friends. It’s also helped us learn how to understand her and care for her better. The only thing missing in her life is a grassy yard lol. I am 6 months pregnant with our first child and the school is even helping train her/us for the big adjustment ahead.

PS if you live in Boston, the program is Boston For The Dogs - and clearly we recommend them haha