They should have said sorry to the dog, it was them that got hurt not the boss. Also there are many offices or certain types of work places that allow dogs at they're work place. My favorite book store has a collie that comes to work everyday with her owner.

63--I'm wondering the same thing. OP definitely deserved some repercussions for lacking manners (perhaps not as extreme as getting fired), but what kind of workplace was OP in that allows pets to roam around so freely that they get stepped on??

I think dogs in pet stores is pretty normal... Or places where dogs are used for searching after people or things... Or maybe he wasn't at work at all - he's not saying he was, and and pretty sure his boss DOES exist outside the work place.

There are offices that allow dogs. I used to volunteer at a nonprofit, and some of the staffers brought their dogs in. Provided nobody has allergies, I think a dog in the workplace is a good thing; it can reduce stress and contribute to positive emotions.

And yes, I am well aware OP stepped on a dog's tail. But if he checked whether the animal was alright, and it probably was because stepping on a tail generally does little harm, then there's no need to make such a fuss. OP definitely didn't deserve to be fired or to be called names here.

So if I step on your foot and it gives you some pain, but doesn't do any "real" damage, it's okay if I don't stop to say sorry to you? It's a living breathing animal. If you hurt it, you should say sorry. Anytime I've ever stepped on my animals accidentally I've always stopped to say I'm sorry and make sure nothing is broken. Most domesticated animals are smart enough to realize what their name is after awhile. Why shouldn't they also be able to understand what "I'm sorry" means after awhile? They just need something to realize that you didn't mean to hurt them.