We are going on hols for a week on Thurs (yeah!!!) & are leaving little Molly with the OH's parents.  We visit them quite often & stayed with them for a few days over Xmas but I'm a little worried about leaving her for a whole week.  OH's parents absolutely adore Molly & his dad goes walking so always takes her on a long walk through the countryside (mol loves him & :) follows him around when we visit) but she's quite a 'home dog' doesn't like change.  Over xmas she went off her food & was very restless, the only reason we believe for this was being away from home as as soon as we got back she was fine again!  We always take up her own bed, bowls, toys etc everything she has at home but she still doesn't appear 100%, so I'm a bit woriied about what she'll be like for a whole week without us being around! & was wondering if anyone had any tips?  I've bought her a doggy choc easter egg & will be leaving a pack of chicken wings (her new favourite! :)) for them to treat her with & make her feel a bit special....anymore ideas? Am I maybe over reacting, possibly feeling a bit guilty about going away without her???

i know its hard , but you either still go away on holiday or you dont. She is going to a great place, the worst that will happen is that she will loose a little weight, try to enjoy your holiday. mine goes into kennels for 16 days, imagine how thqt feels!!:rolleyes:

I would have to agree, when we go away Tyler stays with my sister and for the first couple of hours he is a bit quiet but then is fine and soon adapts to his new routine. I don't really think there is much you can do as unfortunately we can't explain we are coming back. I bet your dog will have a lovely time once she resigns to the fact she is staying there!!

Your not over-reacting. Molly is like your child, I remember all to well how it felt.  Your very lucky she will be with your in-laws though and not in a kennels as others have said, that is even worse.  She will be in a home she knows, with people she knows and they will no doubt spoil her rotten, she will soon get used to her new routine.

Relax, she won't even know how long you are away, she's also having a little holiday and it will become easier the more you do it. :-)

I expect you are projecting your guilt a little here! As we all do! But she's going to a lovely home where she'll be spoilt rotten and, to be honest, after a brief settling in period I bet she'll be having such a good time she doesn't even notice you've gone. 

Oh! I hope she does realise we've gone!!!  Maybe loosing a bit of weight might not be too bad a thing, she is a chocloate lab & we all know the nickname for them....:)

fatty fatty 2 X 4 :-D? well that's what my dad calls his chocolate labby grandpuppy!

barrell on legs...

To add to all the other great responses the only thing I'd suggest (if its possible that is) would be to go to the in-laws the day before and spend the night at your in-laws with Molly.  That way it won't feel (for all of you) like your taking her and quickly leaving if you know what I mean.  It would provide a little setting in period for Molly with you guys there.  I think your in-laws sound like they'll give Molly a great weeks holiday so just relax and enjoy your holiday too :)

Yeah that's what we were planning to do, hopefully if it all works out ok with packing etc we will stay over 2moro night & fly on Thurs.