[aimee]

Oh wow. My hands are still shaking and I'm waiting for my heart to start beating again - this happened about an hour ago.

The girls were outside, we've been slowly introducing Tia to the back yard finally. I was out there with them, then went to get the phone - I must have looked away for maybe 30 seconds, and that's all it took - I look back, and there's no Tia in the yard.

I asked my kids if they had seen her come inside, nope. Then I notice that there is the smallest of gaps between the fence and the ground - sure enough, she had gotten out of the yard. I went over to my neighbor to see if she had somehow gotten over to their yard and she wasn't there. I went outside and began whistling her "come" whistle which we've been working on lately. I went all around the house, then went back to the back yard. Sandy was going crazy at this point as well. Mind you, I'm doing all of this on crutches.

All of the sudden, Tia comes squeezing though that same hole, pleased as punch with herself. I picked her up and she was shaking and checked her gums, and of course they were pale. I gave her some nutrical (first time for that) and she seems to be fine now. Needless to say, I feel like the worst Mommy in the world right now for not having realized she could get out through that gap. My husband is picking up some things to fix it with on his way home from work.

So, I had to share my story - I'm a wreck at this point. Tia is on my lap, sleeping comfortably I think. Her gums look a little better now and her breathing isn't as labored.