I'm away from home 2 weeks out of every month.
I used to try to sneak out so that I wouldn't upset them, but Bobcat says they (especially Halo) would look for me for hours and give him an accusatory glare every now and then.

So, now I get my suitcase out the night before so that they all know. Pepper spends a lot of time hopping in and out of it making sure it smells like her.

I don't cry anymore when I leave, but I sure do miss them!