I just got back from Mexico last night. Lisa was down there for two weeks and I went down for that second week. (We had a great time.) We got home last night to find our dogs happy and healthy. We have the best dog/house sitter ever, who obviously stays at our house with our dogs while we are gone. She is very educated about the raw diet, which is what we feed our dogs, she runs our dogs every day, she understands dogs and has their respect, and she even lets them sleep with her. I have hunting dogs, but they are also house dogs who are part of the family, and sleep on the bed. That is the life that they have always had and that is the only life they know. The only time that this is not the case is when camping on hunting trips, and then they share an insulated kennel, which they both love.
One time Lisa and I had to both go out of town and we left both dogs at a really nice kennel where they even shared the same kennel space. Cash, who can get serious separation anxiety lost over 10 pounds in one week, and anyone who has seen my dogs know that they are always very lean and in good shape. So, taking ten pounds off of Cash made him look deathly. Yes, we could medicate him while we are gone to alleviate some of his stress, but no we never would. Needless to say, Lisa and I will never leave them in the kennel again, no matter how nice it is.
So, like I said, we were very happy to get home and see our dogs last night. It definitely makes going away on vacation much easier when you know that the animals that you care about will be happy and health while you are gone.

Above is a picture of Cash as a puppy crashed out on our bed. Now that is a happy dog!

Jay