Hmmmm... the car was definitely locked when I disconnected the battery - I wanted it to be locked for the winter, of course. I also hit every button on the key many times trying to silence it. But I should be able to take out the battery with the driver door unlocked and then lock it manually with the key (as long as the passenger door is already locked). I'll go back next weekend and try that!

As for scratching her back... when the last car goes into the the facility, it gets locked up and alarmed until the snow melts. I won't be able to see her again 'till April.