We know people who board their pets at the holidays, so people can come and go, and "eat in peace", without dogs and cats around. At best, they "lock them in the yard or another room.

Our dogs are part of our family. We cook them special meals and feed them before our big family/friends dinner, so they have "full tummies" and don't even feel like "begging at the table". Then we have some new rawhide chews and toys to keep them busy. Bottom line, however, is that "this is their home, everyone else is a visitor" and so we respect the fact they are social animals and want to be around their people, as well as the fact that with the right "forethought", we can keep them happy, but still make it a very pleasant visit for our guests (who are all Dog People anyway..or they usually don't come around much)!

What do you do with your pets?