Well, for a few reasons.
#1 he's calm, cool and chill on the farm. Take him out of that atmosphere and he becomes so anxious and nervous he is almost to hard to control. I once watched him drag a vet tech thru the door after we came to get him from a grooming session at the vet!
#2 he's older, and he likes the comfort of home (ahem, and having a king size bed to himself) plus he has cancer, which isn't bothering him now but I don't want to exacerbate it by causing him mental anguish.
#3 my son & daughter in law will be staying with him. He knows them & they know his picadillo's and language.
#4 He's BIG. And he needs his space, he doesn't fit in a crate and has full run of the house & yard so putting a 8 year old 175 lb great dane in the clink when he's not used to it would make me feel terrible.
#5 It's my fault - we always were able to have one of the kids or my niece come to house when we traveled so we never got him used to being in the kennel - that's why I kennel the other two now even though someone will be at the house, I know they need to get used to it. And that we need to develop a relationship with a kennel situation that we are comfortable with and has the situation we want for our pups.
#6 I spoil him and want to keep him happy and comfortable cause I know he'll be feeling okay and good until one day he won't, and between you & me I suspect that day may be coming in the next 6-12 months.
#7 Selfishly, we couldn't enjoy our vacation knowing he's in a strange-to-him place, even though I know the gals there would love all over him. The other two have been to the kennel a few times now and are well adjusted to it and aren't stressed out by it thankfully!
#8 Did I mention I've spoiled him in his older age????
View attachment 1005930