We were faced with the same problem when we had our golden retriever, after we'd bring home from the kennel she just slept for several days and didn't eat much; this was from a well respected kennel that walks the dog, etc. Think you're paying too much though, our cost was $15 per day. We took her with us when we could and that wasn't any problem for the most part. An option is to have somebody come to your house once/twice a day and stay with your dogs, walk with them, feed, etc. It would have to be somebody who already knows the dogs, maybe a son or daughter of friends of yours. A good chance for them to earn money and also do other things such as watering your plants or mowing the lawn.