Yes, I'm certain the poor thing is lonely. I don't blame her for being so focused on trying to find you.

I think I'd leave her in the house on those times when it wasn't too long before you're home. If you're going to be out late, can you ask a neighbor to go let her out for a bit and put her back in?

The other thing I would do is make sure your leaving includes some kind of tasty treat or other incredibly interesting thing for her to do in those first few minutes while you're gone. Distract her with something really good. Maybe by the time she's done she'll be calmed down about the separation.

I hope you do find a way to leave her in or close her escape hatch permanently (I bet she can jump over the fence easily, being the breed she is). I'd hate to hear that she got hit by a car on her little escapades.

Karen