Toothsome business

There was blood on his hands, blood across his face, blood spattered on his vest and trousers. His little face looked worried, and he sat silently on a little stool as I examined him.

He had been playing with the new puppy which had gotten overexcited and had bitten his face and hands.

And bitten off his earlobe.

He would need plastic surgery to reconstruct his ear. Stitches to his face. Dressings over his fingers. Antibiotics.

He winced as I cleaned up the wounds over his cheek and nose. His parents hovered over us, anxious.

"I think you will have to get rid of the dog."

His parents gasped in surprise. "Why? It was only an accident! It's never bitten anyone before!"

I informed them that the dog may attack their son again, and who knows how bad the bites will be next time? Besides, he probably won't want to play with it anymore.

They grumbled.

"But it's pedigree!"