I always think about that too, how awful it would be if someone took my dogs, the not knowing would be unbearable (I feel for you Smkie). Like Fran said, I always watch them when they're out and I never leave them out when I'm not home. When we just had our house re-roofed (don't think thats a word ) I would get so mad, because the roofers kept leaving my gaits open even though I kept asking them not to. They had no respect for my dogs at all - it still makes me mad to think about it. All I kept thinking is if my dogs get out and disappear - I will kill these guys!