I had that issue with Gunner before he passed 3 years ago. For about 4 years, I had to find a way to have him looked after while I was gone for sometimes 5 months at a time. I was not coming out of pocket for 30 or 40 bucks a day for that length of time. I usually got a buddy from Church to come by here each day. Let him out and feed him and so forth. One year my oldest son took him to his house while I was gone. Worked out well. But I don't have that problem anymore. Kind of sad.....:(