Okay, I have to admit it - I was always one of those kids who wanted to pet any dog, despite my parents' warnings. The only scar I have on my face is from a neighbor dog, Reggie, a terrier mix who was usually confined to his own yard. I must have been about 3 or 4, and was playing in the front yard when in walked Reggie - so I threw my arms around him and hugged him like I did my own doggie. Well, Reggie chomped, and I was as shocked as I was hurt. I have a small (1/2 inch) scar right below my left lip, to remind me, as my Mom and Dad said then, "Not all dogs are hugging dogs, Wren-wren."
I will stress that my parents knew about dogs, and taught us often to be cautious around strange dogs, and how to approach them, etc., but I was too interested in the new doggie to remember their instructions. This extended to other species as well, only my Grandfather's hand firmly on my shoulder prevented me from trying to pick up the lovely blue-grey very feral kitten in his yard. The kitten's mama was hiding, crouched a few feet away, and Grandpa KNEW what would have happened had I tried, but still endured several minutes of "But, Grandpa! ..."