I live in a condo community - fairly quiet one as a good portion don't live their year round (for most it's their good weather second home). I took Ari for our loop around the trail that's in the property and I had a kid come up to me asking if I'd seen his cat (poor thing) and gave me a flyer with his kitty's picture on it. I hadn't seen the cat but promised (truthfully) that I would keep my eyes out for him and do my best to either catch him or give a call to let him and his parents know where he was last spotted.
I really don't know how old the kid was - but young (I am a terrible guesser at kids ages, I put him around 7 ish). Anyway, he starts walking with me and talking. So I politely ask where his parents are and he tells me at home. He's just gabbing away, asking me questions about Ari (who meanwhile I'm trying to hold her down from kissing him to death and/or knocking him over). We get to the beginning of the loop and he's still there - so I tell him that his parents probably wouldn't like him walking around with a stranger and that he should go home and continue to look for his cat. He says I'll look for the cat in the woods with you! I couldn't shake him. The loop only takes about 20ish minutes to walk, if Ari and I are not diverting over to the river. He was a cute kid, pretty darn funny - and good around Ari which was nice.
But, I was quite surprised that this kid was sooo trusting. Maybe it was the way (and where) I was brought up but I would NEVER have done anything like that. I was also nervous that his father and mother would be upset with me for whatever reason. Indeed his father was waiting at the end of the loop (where their condo unit was) and I introduced myself and Ari and said your son is quite trusting (in a tone that meant he shouldn't be following strangers, without saying as much with his son right there). His father looked at me and said I know and I am sorry, you have a dog which is probably the reason - then gave his son a good talking to about wondering off with people he doesn't know!
For those of you with kids - wouldn't this scare you, or how have you taught your kids about interacting with strangers? I mean as far as strangers go, I'm quite harmless hehe and I may have a cute puppy and all (and I'm female, I hate to stereotype but you here more about stay away from strange men...) but that doesn't mean anything really I could be some crazy lady who lures kids using a dog! I was blown away, I grew up with it drilled in my head, you don't talk to strangers, you don't go anywhere with them, and no matter how nice they seem (or what they may give you) get your parents first before accepting anything or going anywhere with them.