Great thread Shana!!
Safety is so important. My westie is a true ratter and she digs up a storm and always gets out in this way. I have hired a guy this weekend to put up small gage wire 28" up my wrought iron fence so that if my yorkies ever get lose in the back yard, they cannot get through or under the fence. Right now I have a covered patio area that is xpenned off for them. We have birds of prey so thay are not allowed in the backyard without being on a leash or being held.
We also have coyotes and I found this on the internet and are having it installed in areas of the fence that the coyotes could jump.
http://www.coyoteroller.com/Products/flash_demo.html