Every once in a while Gracie, the 3/4 Great Dane 1/4 Lab, would escape when we were putting her out on her chain/run. It was hopeless to try and catch her, she was fast when she wanted to be. But sometimes, after such an adventure, she'd come back, and lay in the exact spot on the porch where she'd be if she was on her chain, as if to say "I've been here all along, honest!"