um, that should be "not exorbitant". Oops.

Also, for the record, if I were leaving on an extended trip of a week or more and was able to plan for it financially in advance, I'd consider leaving my dog at an upscale kennel. Not because I think she needs wrought iron beds, but she is neurotic and would do well with more human interaction. She drops weight like crazy when she gets worked up, and I wouldn't want her going for a week or more picking at her food. I also wouldn't want her to come back to me with lick granulomas from stress.