I'm sort of in agreement with Alyssa. I have two dogs myself, and i would be a nervouse wreck if i left them outside unattended for even a short period of time. I don't really get the outside dog thing either. that's just my opinion
I'm sure your a really good mom to your furbabies, you just do it different than me thats all. And i do get how your dog loves being outside, my one dog loves being outside when it's nice but i feel like i have to force him in after a couple of hours to come because i don't want him outside that long especially with the heat. I would also be a nervous wreck that someone would steal my dog. I know quite a few people that had their dogs stolen from their own backyard. I can be a bit paranoid when it comes to my furbabies.
and it was very nice of you to take in the neglected dog and nurse it back to health.