So sad to have the pups feeling bad.
I have been away in Kenya and Tanzania for a solid month and my pups stay with our housekeeper, which is I think easier on them than a kennel. She lost one of her dogs and loves ours and it is a comfort to her as well. But one of our dogs is a rescue...and I mean I found her on the street, starving - I do not believe she ever had an owner or a home, she may have been a puppy mill breeding dog, or a yard dog of some kind. Having humans to love has just blown her mind - it has been amazing to see her blossom. We had her 11 months before I went away on this trip (I've been on short trips of course but never a month), and coming back - I now KNOW dogs have a sense of time and memory. My older pup whom I have had for 9 years knows I will always return - he is fine. My poor sweet new rescue woof - she's been shaky for days, glued to my side. I really think she thought I'd never come back. This weekend she is finally calm and happy again.
I remember when you were deadlifting 70, I think? AMAZING. You are an inspiration (and look fabulous!).