I meet some of the most WELL behaved children when I bring my dogs out in public up here in MA/NH. Parents will almost ALWAYS tell their children to be nice to the puppy and be gentle bc they are so small. Us, Bostonians, can be known to be rude but this issue has never been a problem for me in the 2 years Ive had my guys!
Thank god!
I, am one, that PREFERS the company of adults, minus children. I also do not think that I'll ever HAVE any of my own (this could change, but right now Im 30 and do not feel a maternal pull like some woman do). However I appreciate the enthusiasm and energy of children. I love their curiosity and wonder at things. When I bring my boys ANYWHERE (even in my own yard) I expect that there will be children who will see them and want to pet or play with them. Its the nature of the beast. I let ALL children pet my dogs. Some I will let sit on the ground and hold my dog (while hes on the leash still of course, held by me). I take the time to LET them handle a small dog, to teach them to be kind and gentle to these tiny pups. My best friend has a now 3 year old... at 2 years old he always wanted to "KICK THE PUPPIES" (his words) and therefore we had to keep an extra close eye on him and Me more than her worked with him to be nice to the puppies. Now he is 3 and hes a rough and rowdy wild little boy child, but he comes up and kisses the puppies.
Anyways, I guess my point is, if you stopped and told the little girls, if they calmed down they could pet your baby, they would have been IN THEIR GLORY and then they would have left you alone after that. They probably just wanted/needed 5 mins to pet the puppy and ask you a million questions. I usually find that to be true with most over-enthusiastic children. They never MEAN to annoy anyone they just want to get what they want, which was probably a few mins petting your pup in this case. It also benefits you and Lacy, by having her socialized more. You can never socialize your pup enough!
I know you dont hate kids LOL I don't blame you for being annoyed, as some kids are definately 'tougher' than others. If you see the positive in it, the joy of life in the child, the curiosity and enthusiam for something so small as a small dog.. then you can learn to smile at them and laugh with them and do your part in touching their lives a bit and teaching them something.
My little brother (LONG AGO) had ADHD. He was one of "THOSE KIDS" ... some kids cant help it honestly. He was the MOST loving, generous child and has grown into the most loving, selfless, caring, generous man.