Hi hulabird!

I normally leave my dogs with my mom, but when I lived away
from family for a couple of years, I was forced to leave my
2 cairn terriers at a kennel. I was concerned about it too,
but there's 3 things I did to try and make it easier on them.

One, I left a shirt with them that had my scent on it.
Supposedly being able to smell you, is comforting to them.
Two, the night before I had a lil' talk with them and
told them I was leaving them for a few days, why and when
I was coming back. Some people probably think that's foolish,
but I really think it helps to tell them. and Finally, when I left them
at the kennel I didn't make a big to do about leaving them.
I really think how I act emotionally effects them, so if I act like
it's no big deal, they will too. So I tell them a quick, "Have fun.
See you in a few days", kiss'em on the top of the head and off
I go and I don't look back.

They did really well. They didn't eat as much as normal, but
they weren't so depressed as to not eat at all. And the next
time I had to leave them, they did even better, because they
knew I was coming back. They were around 8 yrs old at the
time. I would think a 10 mo old would have an easier time
adjusting, then an older dog that's so set in their ways.

Par...