[Help] Unusual reunion question

Question: How would my dog react if I showed up after a year of total absence like nothing ever happened? No big emotional reunion, no crazy enthusiastic vocal greeting, no giant hugs, etc. Just show up in the morning with the rest of the family in the kitchen as before, in PJs, chatting casually, making breakfast, no big acknowledgment to pup - as if I never left?Bear with me - there is some background for such question:Two years ago, I adopted a 3 year old shelter pup named Bee, who is a beagle mix. Super-energetic, easily excited, whole-back-end-wags kind of amazing dog :)In the year after her adoption, she was my constant companion, as I worked from home at that time. As she interacted with me far more than other family members in the house, she became extremely attached to me. This was wonderful.. except whenever I would leave, especially for longer than a day or two. The appearance of bag(s), keys, and even giving her goodbyes would result in her violently shaking, whining for hours, and if I was gone for days, going off her food completely.Last year, I was offered a fantastic year-long assignment overseas, which would involve a lot of travelling/staying in hotels. Unfortunately, this meant Bee could not feasibly join me - and it was decided to leave her with the family during my absence. Familiar with her separation anxiety, I made the departure process very subtle and gradual over several weeks - making the "I'm leaving just for a bit" cues a familiar thing and not changing my normal behavior all at once around her. For example: spending longer periods of time away from her and encouraging rest of family to spend more time with her instead, not giving strong welcoming/departure interactions, keeping signs of packing out of view, etc.Finally, I didn't do the big tearful final goodbye to her, didn't give the family big goodbye hugs in her view, and left her with the business-as-usual "see you soon" and casual pet on the head when I finally left for the long-term.Ultimately this "dirty trick" worked pretty well. I was told she mopped a little bit in the following weeks, but nothing like the violent trembling, whining, not-eating-at-all behavior as before. I was glad - and yes, a tinsy bit hurt - that it "worked".Now after a year, I'm coming back home. And OF COURSE I am dying to scoop her up when I arrive, squeeing her name, and thoroughly enjoy every wag/leap/whine in return. BUT there is 2 reasons why I am considering NOT to do so.1) Bee is recovering from major spinal surgery. As per doctors orders, that means limiting crazy wriggling, rolling, jumping, running, digging as much as possible - even post-crating period where she's recovered enough to walk around under her own power. So wildly giddy reunion - not the best idea at this time. Obviously, we will need to keep things as quiet and calm as possible when I get back.2) I love my pup to the moon and back, and in doing so, I try hard to make sure I understand and practice what's best for my dog as a dog - not crossing too far in anthropomorphizing her. So this leaves me wondering - while it may seem cruel to "fool" a human family member about a long-term departure - it seems like it was the best way to leave for her sake as a dog with bad separation anxiety. So in turn, is it "harmful" to my dogs understanding of our relationship - and the bond between us after coming back - if I return without giving a emotional and expressive "hello oh how I missed you!!!"? Or even not giving any response or acknowledgment to her possible excited reaction to just seeing me, even if I don't initiate contact? What if I ignore her completely, at least for the first day or two?I know, I know - I am likely thinking WAY too deeply into this. Just genuinely and deeply interested - can you really "hurt their feelings", and if so, to a level that holds any lasting effect? If not, is it then truly a "cruel" act to behave this way towards my dog?I would love to hear your thoughts! via /r/dogs http://ift.tt/2rqF0HB