Hi Sara,
I can understand your problem as my dog has turned out to be a bit of a barker too. Luckily, I work the usual 9 to 5 shift so I can at least be home to deal with his barking. I too am looking into a doggy door for those days when I might work a little late since I'm the only one in the house.
I can telll you one day Hercules had to go 12 hours due to a daytime business trip with my boss that ran longer than expected. I was upset and finally told my boss I just had to leave (which probably didn't do much for my job/boss). But Hercules held it no problem and when I got home he was more excited to see me than he was to go out
However, I think 10 hours is the most I would want to leave my dog without poddy breaks on a regular basis (especially if there was a kidney problem involved). Is it possible as poohbearsmom mentioned to get someone to come by, like a pet sitter, to bring the dogs in at 6:00 or 7:00 at night? Are you close enough to run home on a lunch break and let them in?
I wouldn't be too upset that the neighbor just left a note. I think it's common nature for people to try and avoid something that they think might turn into a confrontation, albeit it may come off as being rude. But if they don't know you then they don't know that you would be receptive to their concerns. Obviously you are taking your neighbors concerns seriously and that is all the neighbor really wants. Animal control should know what the local ordinaces are - my guess is that it will be 9:00 or 10:00 pm. But as poohbearsmom mentioned, you don't want your neighbor mad in any case or you might wind up with dead dogs
I've been racking my brains trying to think of an alternative to letting them in the house after a certain time, but the pet sitter was all I could think of. Too bad you didn't live close to me, I'd let them in for you!
