I don't know if this will help anyone or not, but I thought I would share our experience. Our dogs were very attached to us. They would have separation anxiety if we left to go outside, let alone to the store. When it came to vacations, we would only go on trips where we could take the dogs with us. I guess we were afraid they would die if they stayed at a boarding facility. They were not used to other dogs, a different feeding schedule, the noise, etc. Well, it came a time when we had to fly out of state and didn't have any other choice but to board them at a boarding facility. We figured they would be mourning, sitting in the corner, missing us, not eating, on the verge of death, and so on. Well, when we returned we sneaked over to where they were in the play area outside. They were having a blast with all the other dogs. Our jaws just about hit the ground. Miss us? You couldn't tell it. In fact, after that incident we had to go away again and boarded them at a different facility because we had moved to Florida. Again, we sneaked backed in to view them and they were again having a great time. No signs of missing us, no signs of missing a meal, nothing. So we determined that it must be us. We were told by a trainer that dogs adapt very well and that owners do take their own feelings (even though they don't realize they are doing it) and turn those feelings into what the dog must be feeling and going through. The dogs were actually having so much fun and were so busy that they didn't have time to be worrying about us. So be assured that if you do want to travel, that if you select a reputable place, your pet should be just fine. After you have selected a place to board or a person to care for them, you might have them watch your pet for a few hours or during the day for a time or two just so your pet will be familiar with that person or that place that will be watching them. It is still hard on us and we don't want to be away from our pet, but at least we know if we have to they will be okay.
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