Aww, best of luck to Duke! My bf and I used to have to leave our pups home for 8 or 9 hours about 4 days a week, and I couldn't stand it! I switched my job so I could see my dogs more and my BF less!
LOL!
I leave the tv on for my dogs when I leave too, I know it makes a difference to them. They always settle down more when the tv is on because it is more like when we are at home.