Ohmigah. I've had a very similar experience. I let my (then) aging and mostly blind Westie out to do her stuff and I went back inside for a minute to put my shoes on. When I went out to supervise the process, she was gone. G-O-N-E. I panicked. I looked all around and couldn't find her, and at the time I lived off of a very, very busy street and I kept having the "dead in the ditch" visions. I ran all over the back yards of our neighbors and was sobbing hysterically. I stepped out to the street absolutely positive that my baby girl would be smashed on the pavement, but I looked up the street and a (very, very hawt) runner suddenly stooped to pet a stray dog. My dog. I crossed the street at top speed, almost ending up a greasy spot myself, and barreled up and swooped her up into my arms. The guy said something about taking better care of my dog. I was too anguished to respond, but it did kind of piss me off.

Anyway, it was like my girl didn't realize anything was wrong. I was sobbing over her and hugging her and kissing her and she was all, "can I pee now, please?" :)

Glad Pan-pan is in good condition and home safe. (((hugs)))