In the future, I would consider finding someone to come by and take care of your pets (as a back up plan).
Sure, they miss their homes...but they aren't going to tell you or anyone else that for a very, very long time. At the moment, he can't live there again because it reminds him that something is entirely off and they feel like they are being suffocated when there. It's the depression talking Also, guilt does a lot of speaking up to him and it makes him feel bad about what he's done. So, take what he says w/a grain of salt.
Keep in mind, they have loose lips and when they are w/others, things tend to come out w/o a filter. He probably was chatting w/the neighbor and he was putting on the dog and pony show to that person, i.e., in the way of bragging, etc. Trust me, he misses home and he misses the pets too. If he didn't, he wouldn't pet sit for you.
Their feelings fluctuate on any given second, that's why we say you can't believe anything they say and only 50% of what they do. They are operating on pure emotions and emotions tend to sway back and forth quite a bit.
Listen, GalPal, you can't plan for the future right now. You need to take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Live in the present as it is a gift. The past is gone and can't be relived and the future is not ours to see at the moment. It will be revealed when the time is right. If anything, keep the focus on you at this moment. Live your life to the fullest as if he may not return.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
