Does anyone have experience coming home to their pets and what was it like? Did they miss you?

My cat was glad to see me. I think it was bored with only my wife to fantasize about killing and eating.

I had 3 cats. They probably didn't even realize I was gone year after year.

My dogs always have a cute excitement overload when I get back.

My son goes to my mom over the summers. Normally for a couple of months. He came back this time and one of the cats hissed at him like he wasn't recognized/scared.

This specific cat (I have 4) hides from people he doesn't know, and was back out within a couple of hours. They adjust well but can be surprised like any family member.

My little Chihuahua missed me so bad he laid by the door waiting for me, and my wife couldn't get him to eat or anything and he ended up dying while I was deployed. Very sad day for me.

My dog is actually afraid of me in my gear. When I was gearing up, he would piss himself in fear and start barking like crazy (my dog doesn't bark). So when I got home, I would strip my layers in the driveway so he could actually see me and he would be jumping all over me. Whether it's 6 minutes or 6 months, my dog always misses me when I'm gone. He won't even climb into bed unless I'm there first.

I was only away for a week and my puppy wouldn't stop licking me for more than a week and followed me everywhere for 2 months!

I grew up with two cats. They died while I was away for my first AD assignment...but they had been very pleased and perpetually head-rubbing and lap-sitting when I came back for my first leave after IET. We'd had them since I was 8.