Not sure how far that is from Raleigh, but one of my whippet friends has a very nice boarding kennel in Raleigh and might know of some home care people. Her website is: http://tcanimalcare.com/
I leave the radio on for EL D while I'm gone at work – not because it calms him down but because I don't want him going bonkers because he's hearing the squirrels making noise outside 🙂 He generally sleeps while I'm gone.
I have seen the people who have dogs in the large crates weighed at check in. Only because it was a large carrier. Honestly I would carry her because it gives the appearance that they are lighter then they appear.