Going on vacation.....?

Question

Me and Andrew are going on vacation to Hawaii soon. We are worried that someone might break into the house since we are going to be gone for 2 weeks. We are taking the cats and dogs to my mom's house along with the fish. She loves animals. But, we are worried about the belongings. We have these ideas to keep the house safe:
1) Sign that says "BEWARE OF DOG"
2) Food bowl and water bowl
3) Close all the drapes and windows
4) Turn on some lights and the TV so it seems like we are there.
5) Keep 1 car in the garage
6) Alarm system will be on AT ALL TIMES
7) My cousin will visit twice a week.
Any other ideas!?! We are really worried.
(PS: Yes we will lock the doors and windows. I am also taking a lot of my jewelry with me and my work laptop. Andrew is also taking other important items that could easily be stolen)

Answer 1

You have most of it down already. Here are a couple that you didn't think of.
Put your interior lights on timers so they turn on and off. Its better than just leaving the lights on.
Make sure to talk to the newspaper people so papers don't build up out side the house. nothing says "I am gone" like newspapers and flyers building up at your front door.
Talk to your neighbors and let the one or ones you trust know that you are leaving. make sure that they know that you don't have any delivery's due and that they know that the utility company's are not due for service. Many burglars masquerade as utility people on their initial approach to the house. the neighbors should know to call the cops if a guy in a gas company shirt shows up. You might also ask them to remove any pizza delivery flyers that show up while you are gone.
and last but not least. Call the local law enforcement people and let them know that you are going to be out of town. If you are not in the big city they might even send the occasional patrol by to check on your house. They are actually pretty cool about such things. and it doesn't hurt to ask!
Have fun on your trip and good luck!