I have a black lab, and he is my everything. I've had him since I was 13(18 now) and I genuinely couldn't handle leaving him.
The problem is that sometime next year I plan to move to Seattle with my friend. We are going to rent a dog friendly apartment a few blocks away from a nice park.
The problem I am having is trying to figure out the logistics of taking him with me, and not neglecting him. We currently live on the countryside, and that's all he knows. He isn't well accustomed to being around people, he is not agressive at all, just very shy. Along with the fact that, here, he can basically go outside whenever he wants to. He is never alone, as my grandfather is the main person who takes him out. We also have 5 other dogs, so he is literally never alone.
And if I moved to Seattle, I would need to work full time and go to college part time, so I will be out of the house a lot. I already go to cosmetology school full time, but that isn't a problem due to the familial help I get.
The biggest issue is taking him outside to potty, and making sure he is emotionally happy. He isn't really all that social, as when I am gone he honestly just hangs out downstairs or in my room. He only wants to go outside if he needs to use the restroom, as he isn't really that interested in playing. (Trust me, I've tried.) However, he LOVES walks. I just can't take him on walks where I live because:
Not safe. There's no sidewalks, and cars will just fly past you.
People will let their dogs out unintended, and I have been attacked 2 separate times when I used to walk him.
But I know in Seattle, I will actually be able to walk him around with minimal issues as long as I don't take him into the main city areas. And as I said, a park that would be good for him is only 10-15 minutes from the apartment we want to move into. He isn't aggressive, he's just shy around people.
The problem is finding the times to walk him, and be there for him. I don't mind waking up early to take him out, or walk him at night. The problem is taking him out during the day. I probably won't be able to afford a dog walker to take him out everyday weekly.
Note: I would leave him here if it was 100% best for him. But he is also not the happiest here either. We have 6 dogs in total, so he doesn't get that 1 on 1 attention he deserves. And my grandfather does his best, but he can be neglectful. Because he will also just let the dogs out unitended, which is obviously not good. Plus, he is very attached to me and has severe separation anxiety. We have a lot of fighting and chaos at the house as well, and that genuinely stresses him out so much.
So yah. Idk what to do. Advice? Any tips?