Whelp. I almost lost a dog today and I feel like an asshole.

But you didn't lose the dog.

No but I think they know

She was playing in the park with another dog and got away. for 45 minutes

she was just out of reach the whole time

My dog does that. If she gets away she stays, like, one step ahead of me.

And she keeps looking back with a big grin on her face.

Why do you think they know?

Oh because their next door neighbor saw me AND they asked why I'd been so long

Don't beat yourself up about it. Dogs have minds of their own.