Do I work to many hours

for a dog? When I move out I have thought about having another dog but I will then be the only person to give the dog attention besides Pixie, and I work 12-hour shifts but I only work 3 sometimes four days a week and they are usually stretched out. And I was wondering do I work too many hours for a dog ? I worry about that. And also should I possibly considering just having Pixie and since she is so loving rescuing another cat so she isn't alone for so long. And I work nights so the dog would be alone at night.

Most adult dogs can hold it for 12 hours, especially at night. I wouldn't recommend trying to raise a puppy, though. You'd have a terrible time getting it housetrained. As long as you were diligent about exercise and attention when you are home, I think you could make it work with an adult dog. It would take extra effort, but if you want a dog badly enough, you wouldn't mind the sacrifices.

I definitely think another kitty would be a good addition, though! At least it would be if Pixie is willing.

Yes, IMO too much for a dog. I would never want my dogs to be alone for 12 hours (and probably more when you factor in driving, errands, getting ready, etc.). They are rarely alone for more than 4 at one time. It could work if you signed up for doggie daycare, got a pet sitter,friend, or neighbors to come over during those long days, or if you could bring your dog with you to work.

I work in a hospital so I cannot bring a dog to work with me but I am thinking about once I go back to school trying to get a job where I could work from home.

I think an adult dog could handle it. My coworker has a dog that is usually alone for 10-12 hours max a day and is fine. You just have to be willing to give it all the attention it needs when you get home.

Another cat is a good idea for Pixie if she would accept another. Nero was alone for awhile when we first moved for ~8-10 hours a day, and was more destructive finding things to do, so about 2 months later we got him a brother, and now he has two. They all keep each other entertained throughout the day while we're gone.

Im am home all day long with all our pets but when BF and I go somewhere on the weekends sometimes we are gone upwards of 8+ hours a day. When we just had Franklin it was a disaster in the making to leave him alone for that long and there is no way we could do it if we just had Max. Having the 2 of them together works for us because they keep each other company and out of trouble. We still have some minor issues every once in a while but nothing major. We have to be diligent about making sure we are home around dinner time to feed them, making sure we dont leave too early because we need to make sure they have a potty before eating and a potty break about half an hour afterward.

I dont think you work too much for an adult dog, but a puppy yes 12 hrs is too long to be left alone or in a crate without a break. An adult dog that is better as an only dog would be ok probably but at the same time for you to get a dog and then right away be leaving it alone I dont think would be good. If you were able to maybe take a couple days vacation time to get yourself and the dog acclimated it would be a little better imo. If I were in your shoes though I would probably get another cat instead. I know if I had to work your hours I wouldnt be able to have a dog just because I know with errands, and other stuff included I wouldnt personally be able to give it the time and attention it needed. Cats are a little more resiliant to being left alone for longer periods of time.

We've often thought about getting a dog, but not until after we retire. We both work during the day and I tend to have a lot of night meetings, plus there are times when DH goes out of town for a week or more. It doesn't seem fair to a dog right now. The cats are one thing....they have litter boxes. Somehow I don't think we could train a large dog to use a litter box!

if you have an adult dog (3+) I think it would be fine! Doggy Daycare would be a great option, but look around to see if you could find one that has hours that fit for hospital shifts!
It may be a good idea however to maybe have a petsitter or a friendly neighbor on call with a spare key so that if you do get held up someone can let the dog out to go potty.
Another option, not sure where you are moving but it could work, is a dog door leading to a fenced in area outside. But before you freak out saying Pixie would get out, they make dog doors that come with a special tag you put on the dogs color. The door recognized the tag and will unlock for only the animal wearing the tag. Or if it were possible you could shut off the room with the doggy door so just the dog were in there and not the cat, then he could come and go as he pleased when you were gone, and when you were open you could put the cover over and lock it!
Think about it this way, dogs are frequently inside and cannot potty for that long at night. Its just during the day people find it much scarier for the dog to hold it for long!

One of the main reasons that my SO and I don't get a dog is due to us having full time jobs that are not in the same city as our house.

Even though a dog for us would only be alone 8 hours, I would feel horrible that I couldn't even come home on lunch to let them out.

Really I think it's a personal decision for you and would also depend on the personality of the dog. I would think that only working 3 days of 12 hour shifts, that would be much better then working 5 days straight of 8+ hours. You could potentially even have someone stop by to let the dog out in the afternoon those days.

Wait until you're out of that house before you really even give it much thought. You'll need to see how much the place you eventually move to charges, and if they charge a pet deposit or will let you slide on a "no pets rule" for Pixie. You'll also need to get good idea of what your monthly bills and budget will be then before you could even consider a dog. You may have to end up picking up more hours just to afford to pay all of your bills.