Robo, you are such a sweet soul! I think a toys r us or Target card would be very sweet.. but surely not necessary! Most people wouldn't even replace the ball so I'd say you are ahead of the game already by paying for the ball.

You are indeed a kind, thoughtful soul. A gift card to Sonic or a local ice cream shop, so that the father and son could get a treat after they spend time at the park?

You are very kind and I like that both you and the Dad want to do the right thing. Dad isn't trying to get over because you offered to replace the ball and you replacing it when you don't have to.

I think a gift card to either a restaurant or local store would be appropriate.

I would not even think to bring something else along. Given that the father has already set the value at $15 - after being offered more - you risk insulting him.

I think that a gift card from your puppy would be much appreciated by the little boy.

When I sign a card from my dogs to anyone, I use my left hand so it looks a bit odd. You could do that, and write something along the line of, 'I'm sorry I bit your soccer ball! I get so excited in the park! Penny'

I don't think a father would be insulted at such a sweet gesture to his child. I LOVE my3dogs idea of the gift card from your puppy!!

Yes! It's from the puppy. Perfect!

I definitely don't want to insult the dad! I like the idea of a card from Penny Waffles.

This group makes me happy! I love this sweet thread and you ladies. :-)

And remind the boy not to kick balls at dogs he doesn't know because many dogs like to bite down on balls and end up puncturing them, just like Penny did.

My new rescue punctured a full size soccer in ball in seconds and can puncture/rip a tennis ball in minutes.

I know, I don't think it was 100% my fault but I believe (could be making assumptions) I'm in a better position to replace the ball.

And whether they can afford a new ball or not, you are giving that child a lesson in civility and doing the right thing! More important than the price of the ball.

Exactly. Accidents happen. The fact that he was okay with you giving him money probably does mean replacing it might be a hardship.

Most of us here would have told you not to worry about it, that these things happen, and not accept money from you

An extra gift on top of this is icing on the cake.

We ran over a bicycle that was parked in our driveway by my son's friend. He was maybe 14? It wasn't entirely our fault, the bike was kind of haphazardly parked, but I offered to replace it immediately. I included a gift card to our local ice cream store for the boy. All ended on a positive note.

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. :) I'm shocked the father wanted you to replace the ball, whether he can't afford a new one or not. The boy kicked the ball to your dog, and your dog did what many dogs do by puncturing it.

The father missed a great opportunity to teach his son about dogs, and IMO, asking you to pay for his son's mistake is not cool. Giving him a gift card, while extremely thoughtful of you, is telling him he will be rewarded for doing something that wasn't right, although the child had no idea what he did was wrong in the first place.

Your dog didn't misbehave. I wouldn't give the boy a gift card.

Well technically to be in the mixed use park your dog has to be under your control at all times. My dog was not under my control when she was running away with the ball hanging out of her fangs. She was, however, extremely pleased with herself. The boy probably just thought she wanted to play, which she did!

It does come across as a reward for his actions because there's no reason for the boy to have a special treat in addition to a new soccer ball. Your motivation seems to be that the family is poor and you want to do something nice for them. Would you be offering that extra something if they looked wealthy? I'm not sure how I'd take that if I were the father, especially after he said he didn't want $30. It might seem like charity, which a lot of people do not like accepting.

You are judging the family's ability to pay. Not such a nice move on your part IMO.

the dad asked for $15. Give him $15. Don't show off by adding more.

Penny looks contrite.

JMC, gee, you're a bit contentious this morning.

It's a nice gesture to pay for the ball, Robo, and your impulses are meant well. But I agree that the 15 is enough.

Well, to be fair I think the ball is worth more than 15! But I would not want to condescend to the family. Typically I would have added a little treat from penny to the boy like a bag of candy but these days that type of thing seems off limits. Maybe just a card with some stickers if I can find boy appropriate stickers.

There is an additional complication that cropped up yesterday which is that I almost got the feeling the dad was hitting on me (which never happens btw, I don't often feel like people are hitting on me!), he wanted to meet up to discuss the ball before we met up to pay for the ball and I got a mistake text from him that seemed like it was from a single guy ("hi becky it was so nice to meet you today"). So anyway my husband will be coming with Penny and me to the park tonight to pay for the ball!

Robo! Do I have to get out of my chair and go up there and spank you? lol. Did you give the man your phone number? Good idea taking your husband, and because of the text, by all means don't bring a treat for the boy. ;)

If he did not know you were married, maybe just take his offered friendship as a compliment- you are generous, fun loving, pretty, you were good with his son. Of course if you are wearing a wedding ring then it is a whole other thing. In any case bringing your husband is a good idea.

No wedding ring! Nothing creepy has or will happen!

My goodness, there are some cranky assumptions being made in this thread! A kindness extended is never inappropriate, IMO. I probably need to go back and revise my comments on the thread about giving money as a requested wedding gift. I'm just thinking this morning how motive-free generosity, even in a small way, is one of the niceties that makes our world go round. Do what your heart tells you to do, robo. You'll know.

I'm going to crankily assume that the reason he wanted to accept less than the ball is worth is because he was interested in you and wanted to appear to be a nice guy. Now he's the one with the motive!

soccer balls cost 30 bucks?

I think they do but I don't know a lot (anything) about sports. It was a real soccer ball and not a kid version. I checked out some prices at the local sport chek. They range from $15-$150 but I think it's nicer than the $15 version.

LOL I had a little chuckle regarding the drama building up around this man!! I think it was nice that he was perhaps flirting with you. There's no harm in that one way or another unless it progresses to something creepy. It won't as your husband will be with you this evening-- and it may not have ever. I'd take it as a nice little boost and move ahead with your plan.

I guess you could just purchase the new ball-- if you know the size and such. Then there's no worry about the actual cost. Still, I can't imagine that an act of kindness would be offensive. (BTW I didn't get the impression that he demanded that you pay for the ball.. if I misunderstood, my view might change to simply paying the $15 and moving on without any additional gestures)

I love the idea of a note from Penny-- especially as it can be a means to explain that dogs don't understand that all things bright and fun on the ground are not theirs.

You're a sweet soul, Robo.. ;)

Soccer balls most definitely can cost more than $15-it really depends on the quality and what material is used. Around Christmas, my son mentioned a basketball that his friend got that was some ridiculous amount of money-maybe $100? When I said that seemed absurd, ds told me why it cost that much. I can't remember now, but it did have something to do with the material as well as the performance of the ball, though I'm fairly sure there was still a huge profit margin on the ball.

Regardless of the father's reasons for either accepting payment for the ball or accepting less than the value of the ball, if the agreed upon price was $15, that is what I'd give him. Maybe he felt both parties were in the wrong, so he was just asking for a nominal amount to cover it.

I'm not grumpy, I'm the only one defending the innocent Penny. :)

I agree with Ida. As Robo says, the puppy wasn't totally under her control, which should happen in a dog park. I personally don't think she's being condescending or rewarding the boy. Both the puppy and the boy did what is natural to them, neither really did anything "wrong". Robo would simply be making a lovely gesture to the boy with a little treat from Penny! Robo would be teaching the lesson! I would give him $15 and a little something from Penny to the little boy. He may or may not have been hitting on you, but that's not a crime either.

He may or may not have been hitting on you, but that's not a crime either.

Some days, I'd almost welcome it. Been a very long time indeed ... ;-)

For those of you that have dogs that like soccer balls, I found a dog soccer ball that works very well. My dog found an old one left at a dog park and loved playing with it. It had a "million" fang punctures and still popped back into shape after being bitten. Luckily the brand was still visible and I ordered one when I got home.
http://www.jollypets.com/products/jolly-soccer-ball/

I just got this ball for our 7 month old Golden puppy, and it is a complete hit. To the point where I have to hide it in the laundry room, he is so obsessed with it. It is hard plastic and obviously indestructible. There are 10" and 6" versions, we have the 10". I get it out only for short times, he is seriously crazy about it.

sushipup, pics please.

Click on the link. UPCO is a reliable company.

Actually I meant pics of your puppy playing with his ball. :)

It's all a blur!