Yeah, I am a fanatic about..

making sure the gate is not only latched, but also locked, so some loser doesn't come open the gate.. Unfortunately, our back gate is around the side of the house and we can't see if from the back door.. I've considered even putting a camera on the gate or some sort of LED light in the switch plate by the back door - if the gate is closed the LED is ON, or something like that..

As careful as I have been, our other two Beagles got out 2-3 times.. Mostly because my wife isn't as careful as I am.. Luckily another safe guard tactic I used saved us one time: Before we leave the house to go anywhere, I always have to put eyes on every dog in the house - mostly so they don't get locked outside.. but one time, when our blind little Lucie got out of the gate my wife left open, we were leaving and I couldn't find her and saw the gate open.. and we went running faster than Usain Bolt out the front door looking for her - and found here 4-5 houses down, just wandering blindly through the yard.. Closest I've ever come to a heart attack right there..

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Friendship is like peeing your pants.. Everybody can see it, but only you can feel the warmth..