My girlfriend and I have been together for about a year now and are considering moving in together in about 6 months. I've never been happier in a relationship and I really get along well with her. That being said I have a couple concerns about moving in with her.

For starters I'm going to be applying to Ph. D programs in October that would start the following year. I may have to move out of state since I'm trying to maximize my chances of getting in somewhere and my state is limited on the field I want to go into and I don't really want to stay at the school I did my undergrad at. That being said the possibility of actually getting in is extremely unlikely (my gpa isn't the greatest but not the worst either so I'm relying on the rest of my app). Because I may have to move I wonder if we should move in together in the first place only to have to live separate a year later and then have to do long distance? I think I'd be kind of bummed if I had to move away. She's in a stable job so moving with me may not be an option, especially since the Ph D stipends aren't extremely high. So that's my first concern.

My other major concern is weighing on me a lot more though. I'm currently the caretaker/human servant for my 17 year old cat that I have had since I was 10 years old (although he was with my mom up until a couple of years ago, long story). Now the GF gets along with my cat. However my GF recently started being the caretaker of an awesome but extremely energetic large puppy. Now, we tried introducing the two to each other one time. My cat wasn't a fan to put it lightly. He's also been the only house pet for a good portion of his life and never really dealt with dogs. So I guess the question I have for this one is does anybody have an experience of a SO having the opposite 4 legged furry pet (cat/dog) that did not get along in the beginning and eventually working out?

Tl;dr: Considering moving in together but may have to move back out for a Ph.D program a year later wondering if we should and also I have a cat she has a dog, wondering if that could work out eventually.