Responsible "parenting"

The family's been bugging me for a pet dog for quite sometime now. Our next door neighbor has a really cute dog the kids play with all the time. I'd like to have one too because I do think it'll teach the kids responsibility, but at the moment, I don't think it's the responsible thing to do. We are gone most of the day and there's nobody home to take care of it. Sure we can provide it with shelter, food, pet supplements, even toys. But nothing can replace the love and companionship of the human master.