Would you steal if an employee gave you permission?

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I was at United with my dad and had tossed a small doggie bone in the basket. It was only $.69 and was a dental bone for small dogs. When the checkout lady emptied the basket, I guess she missed it. After everything was bagged, I glanced in a few of the bags to see where it was, then decided to wait until we unpacked to find it. Well, the bag dude came over to take the basket out for us and he saw it still in the basket, outside of the bags. He asked if it was mine and I said yes. Then I wondered if it had gotten missed by the check-out girl. SO I mentioned that and asked my dad for the receipt. Bag dude said not to worry about it, that kind of thing happens all the time. I scoured the receipt and couldn't find it. He said again, it's ok, don't worry about it. I told him I wasn't going to steal it. He said it was OK, stuff happens, not my fault, don't worry about it. I ignored him and took it out of the basket and put it back. (My Dad had kept walking to the car, and I didn't have any $, so I couldn't go back and pay for it). He may have thought I was being rediculous, but I don't see where he has the authority to decide if I should steal or not. Had he been the Owner of the store of at least General Manager, maybe. I don't even know if I would then. Yes it was less than a dollar, but the principle is more important than the cost. I may be the only person who would go to this extreme, but I hope not. Would you?