Moving and leaving my dog

Question
Thanks, Charlotte.  I'm moving to an apartment in the city from a house in the small town.  I work part-time now and probably full time after I move.  I don't spend tons of time with her, but the family across the street work and go to school, so the amount of time in the home is probably the same.  But she really seems to love these other people and will spend time with them - as long as she doesn't think she should be with me.  But one time recently, she went over there on her own for 2 hours and usually she barks to come back in the house 10 minutes after I let her out!

I think she likes them a lot and with two young children she will certainly have more fun than she does with me.  I take her for walks occasionally but usually we just hang out together.  So, I know she really loves me, but I am thinking that, all things being equal, a change of environment will be harder on her than moving across the street into this other family's house.  More things will be the same, it seems to me.  

So, if I can be assured that she will not pine for me for too long, because she will be happy with these folks, than it makes sense to let her go to them.  They would like to have her.  They used to have a dog like her who died of old age a couple of years ago.  They've had some time to live without a dog and are looking forward to having my lovely dog who doesn't need any training, etc.

Brigid

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Followup To
Question -
I'm moving in 4 weeks to a large city from a small town.  My dog is 6 years old and I'm thinking the transition to this new location will be hard on her.  But she does love me!  My neighbors across the street really love her, too, they have 2 elementary aged children who adore her.  

I'm thinking it will be best to leave her with them instead of taking her with me.  Which would be harder for Molly?  Changing her environment so radically but staying with me or changing families while remaining in the neighborhood she's comfortable with?  

These friends have watched her for me and she visits over there often, especially when they have birthday parties!  She just walks over and gets all her pets and attention from the relatives.  They all love her too.
Answer -
Are you moving to an apartment where she will be so much more confined? Or are you moving to a house?
Does she love those children as much as she loves you?
Has she been with you her whole 6 years?
Do you spend a lot of time with her, talk to her, play with her?
Does she live in the house with you, and is a member of the family?
What breed is she? Some breeds adjust more easily to a family change than others.
If she has always been a member of the family, treated like she's your child, with you all the time, especially if she sleeps in bed with you, then it would be the same for her as it would be for a child who is given away when the family moves. Any change in enviornment would be easier than to be separted from her family.
If she is an outside dog, and sleeps outside. If you play with her, and talk to her, but she is not a family member, then she may be fine leaving her with the children.
Does she jump and show pleasure when the children come over?
There is a lot to consider, and you love her, or you would not be so concerned.
If the two of you have a mommy and child relationship, like I have with my dogs, and if she sleeps in your bed, or is allowed to if she wants to, and you are that close, she would not be happy away from you.
My dogs love the grandkids, and jump and bark and scream with excitement when they come over, but if I went away, and gave them even to one of the grandchildren, they would be really down. They are like my babies, and they know I can't run and play with them, but they come to get me to go outside with them, sit in the lawn swing, and watch them play. They really show off for me when I go out with them.
When I have pain, which is often, they come and sit by me and cuddle me.
If you have that kind of relationship with her, then you can't consider giving her up, she would pine away for you.
A lot of people love their dogs, and show them love, and take care of them without going as far as I do, and they are just as good dog owners as I am. But I have a closer, more unbreakable bond with mine.
I would say don't consider the enviornment. Dogs don't care much about that, they care about people. Dogs are pack animals. Unlike cats, they cannot exist and thrive well without other pack members. When they live with humans, that is their pack.
What you need to consider is the relationship she has with her pack, and how she would adjust to a new pack.
The fact that she has stayed with them, and what you said about her walking over at birthday parties, and getting petted by all the relatives, sounds like she is quite comfortable with them.
Would it break your heart to leave her?
When you leave her with them, and come back, does she go nuts greeting you, or does she just casually go home with you?
Forget the enviornment and consider only the human and dog relationships. That is all that matters to a dog. They can adjust to any enviornment.
Hope I have helped, and not made it harder for you to decide.
Feel free to write anytime you feel I can help.
I know it is not an easy decision for you.

Charlotte

Answer
Hi Brigid.
Well, you could always agree with them to come and get her if she pines too much.
From what you say, it sounds like she would adjust to a new family readily. They aren't strangers to her. That will make a big difference, and kids do give a dog a lot more running and playing. Sounds like she would be fawned over.
If she is a medium or large dog, and has always had room to run, an apartment would be a big adjustment.
They can write and tell you how she is getting along.
The separation will probably be harder on you than on her.
Bless you for loving her so much and taking such good care of her these 6 years. she is a lucky dog to have so many people loving her.
Charlotte