will running a pump dry hurt it?

A couple of days ago, the wife plugged in the pump (while I was away) on the new pool we just had installed and the water level wasn't up to the skimmer so the pump ran for several hours with no water.

It seems to be working fine but this is the first 'big' pool we've had so this equipment I'm not that familiar with yet and can't tell if something was wrong if there was.

If it pumps, doesn't make any strange noises, and doesn't leak, then it probably survived. The only thing that could go would be the seal assembly as there is no physical contact between the impeller and the housing.
Al

great, thanks!