Okay Twink, I'm going to give you my advice on this although its not what you're looking for.  I do not like the idea of Harvey being outside alone all day.  Even when my dogs go out just for a potty break I stand outside or I watch from the window.  Its just to dangerous.  Go to www.drsfosterandsmith.com and buy him a large cage.  I bought one that is big enough to hold Toby (150 lbs.) and Zoe (17 lbs.) comfortably.  You can get lixit bottles to put on the side for water.  He will be very comfortable and warm.  Winter is coming.  I know you say he'll be warm but what if it starts to snow while you're at work and it takes you longer than usual to get to him.  I think you'd feel much better knowing he was in the house safe and warm.  Kittysmom can give you more advice on these cages and how to set them up and such.  She's the one who gave me that advice.

This is not a crate it is a cage.  Its a lot bigger than any crate will ever be.  The dimensions of mine, I think, are 28" x 48" x 35" H.  This thing is huge.  Mine may be bigger than that, I can't remember.  They make one on drsfosterandsmith.com for this size that is 99.99 with free shipping and one that is 139.99 with free shipping so they are not expensive at all. 

You need to give Michael the den animals speech and find some things on the internet to show him.  Harvey will be a lot happier in the cage in the house because he will feel safe.  If you put him outside away from the surroundings he's used to being in and without you and Michael he's going to flip out.  If you put him in the room in the house he spends the most time in and put him some blankets and favorite toys in the cage with him he will be perfectly content.

I don't think his being in the cage like that is to long.  Dogs all across American stay in crates while their families work.

Also, maybe if for the first couple of weeks that you were leaving why don't you give Harvey his anxiety medicine?  Don't do it forever just give it to him for a couple of weeks to help him stay calm while he gets used to the new routine.

I don't know.  My advice may not be good.  I never talk anything over with my husband about the dogs.  I've just always done what I wanted.  He'll speak up and tell me if there's something he doesn't like and sometimes I change it and sometimes not but I never ask his opinion.  I just order a cage if I want to.  Maybe someone who does talk things over with their husband can give you a better opinion on how to talk Michael into the cage.

Have you thought about just confining him to one room...like the kitchen. I remember when Oscar was a pup we used to put him in the kitchen with plenty of chew toys. You just have to remember to put the trash up. LOL!!! But oscar did great in the kitchen. He has never been in a crate though... Good luck.

Boy, I did a good job on you, Zoe...
I am converting the world to caging dogs...
I think that it is ok for just that long...I guess that you would add on an hour getting to and from work, and that would be 10 hours you are gone. I don't stay away that long, myself, my shifts are shorter.
I have gone to Disneyland or San Diego, or the desert, and been away for 10 hours, and had no accidents to clean when I got home, which was surprizing.
Do keep the outside run, and reinforce it. You should have the option to put him out or in, according to the weather. The caging must be bomb proof, as you put it, so they don't injure themselves trying to get out, or god forbid, actually getting out, and running off into traffic while you aren't home. I would rather clean a potty oops, than think that my dogs were suffering weather, or insects, but secure outside kennels work in many weathers.
These indoor cages are very secure, and the dog has a water bottle on the side. I would say that potty time all morning, while you are getting ready for work, followed by a very light breakfast [I give a slice of whole wheat pita], and toys in the cage/kennel maybe with a radio playing, should do it. When you return home, immediate potty-time, followed by a good dinner should be just fine...I don't cage them on empty or full bellies. Both would be uncomfortable for that long.
I do give the main meal before I go to work, but I'm only gone 5-7 hours...they just sleep while I'm at work...

i have a different view, so you can all yell at me. i never crate or cage my dogs. they arrived in crates at the airport and as soon as we got home, the crates went bye bye. my yard is securely fenced, but my dogs only go out long enough to do their thing and come right back in.and i watch them while they are out. there is always someone home with quinn being disabled.on the rare times we are both gone, the dogs get put in the master bath. it a very large room, and i just put their bed, food, water and toys in there with them. i am extremely claustrophobic and i could never be locked up and never have ! i couldnt do that to my dogs either. thats just me. i just look at my dogs as my kids. i think they are even more spoiled than my two legged kids ever were.

so if it was my choice, i would find a room where you could keep him in while your gone. and just remove things that he might damage and fill it with the stuff that he is familiar with. toys, bed, food, water.try it for awhile and see how it goes. or you could try it for a few days while you are still home so that you can keep an eye and ear out and see hows he does.