[PyrNet-L] Need an opinion

["Tracy Pribbenow" <pribb@feist.com>]

Dear Pyr people:

 I need an opinion about something that happened yesterday involving a dog
(but not a Pyr).

We regularly shop at a local "feed mercantile" store, where we buy grain
and feed for our horse, chickens, dogs, rabbits, etc.  We go there quite
often.
At this hometown store is a liver-colored lab named Bailey, that is always
there.  We always pet her and say hello when we enter.  She is quite
overweight, probably from laying around the store all day -- but I would
say she is pretty well taken care of.

Yesterday, we went to this store, and my two youngest children (ages 11 and
9) followed me in (as they usually do).  I went up to the counter to order
horse food and pay for it.  After doing so, I noticed that my daughter was
with me, but not my son.  I found him out in the car, crying.  His mouth
was bleeding (not severely, but some) and a front tooth was chipped.

For hours he wouldn't tell me what happened, even though I assured him he
was not in trouble.  I thought maybe he had fallen or ran into something. 
Finally he told his sister, who told me, what happened, and after that time
he would then tell me about it.  He said he was petting Bailey as he always
does when we go there, and suddenly she "lunged" at his face, and her teeth
hit his teeth, causing the chip and the injury (fat lip also).  He was VERY
upset about this -- not at the dog.  He LOVES animals, and we have four
dogs of our own, and he is extremely gentle with them.  He seemed upset
just because he couldn't understand why she did it.  And to tell you the
truth, I can't either.  He didn't startle her, because he had already been
petting her awhile when this happened.  I can't decide if she was trying to
do some type of affectionate "kiss" or if, instead, perhaps he hit a
sensitive area when petting her and she was upset.  Since I didn'tsee
it.........

My concern -- should I say anything to the owners of the store -- or let it
pass??  David wants to forget about the whole thing, but he was really
shook all day yesterday and  would cry anytime you asked about it.  He is a
very sensitive, more emotional, child than my other two.

Tracy
pribb@feist.com       
ICQ#9738173