To my defense, my boys had been outside raking a pile leaves their daddy told them to take care of. Our 3 dogs knew they were in the front yard and have been whining to go out. I knew if I opened the front door to let my boys in, the dogs would bolt down the street. Apparently, my boys had come in and I didn't notice.
I apologized to our neighbor and explained my, um, "firm statement"...but I don't think she was buying it. and I may or may not have still been in my pjs.