DEAR ABBY: I have seen several dogs and cats left outside in below-zero weather this winter. Yes, animals have fur to help them keep warm, but that doesn't mean they don't get cold (even in dog houses). People get cold staying outside for an extended amount of time, even when bundled up, so imagine how the animals feel. These innocent animals can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like humans.
Won't you please remind your readers that pets should be brought inside on cold days and nights? -- ANIMAL LOVER IN NORFOLK, N.Y.
DEAR ANIMAL LOVER: While some breeds of dogs fare better in cold weather than others, all of them need interaction with their guardians. The animals you observed may have been left in the cold out of ignorance on the part of the humans with whom they co-exist.
I don't care how furry some of our furry friends appear to be. Check with your veterinarian to see when your breed should be brought indoors.
DEAR ABBY: I'm a divorced single mother with a 13-year-old daughter I'll call "Gia." We live next door to an attractive 62-year-old widow I'll call "Doris," who has become like a grandmother to Gia and a dear friend to me.
Last night I went to my daughter's room and found her standing on a stool in her closet looking out a small window into Doris' bedroom. When I asked Gia what she was doing, she didn't answer, so I climbed up on the stool to see for myself. Abby, Doris was in bed with her son, "Jeff," having sex. I could hardly believe my eyes!
Jeff is 36 and a mama's boy. He has his own home but visits his mother often. Gia said she has watched them many times since we moved here four years ago, and described some of the things she's seen.
I'm not sure how to handle this. Doris is very close to us, and Gia seems unaffected when we get together for dinner or the movies, etc.
Should I tell Doris and Jeff that I saw them? And what do I say to my daughter, who has been "educated" beyond her years? -- SEEN ENOUGH, CHAMPAIGN, ILL.
DEAR SEEN ENOUGH: You should definitely tell Doris that your daughter has been getting an eyeful from her closet window, and strongly suggest that Doris' curtains be closed when Jeff is "visiting." And if you haven't already talked to your daughter about sex — and appropriate behavior — it's time you played catch-up, so don't delay.
I would find it hard to continue a friendship with a woman in an incestuous relationship with her son. They're in serious need of counseling.
DEAR ABBY: I am an assistant librarian in New Mexico. My daughter recently told me she's going to convert to Buddhism. I'm perplexed by her choice. I want to support her because her aunt is also a Buddhist, but I wasn't raised Buddhist.
What advice can you give me? -- LONGTIME READER
DEAR LONGTIME READER: As an assistant librarian, you're surrounded by books. The time has come to pick up a couple and start reading about Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. If you're near a computer, Google it. You'll find an abundance of information on the subject. I would also recommend that you attend a couple of meetings with your daughter. That way, you'll have a better understanding of what she — and her aunt — are attracted to.
Won't you please remind your readers that pets should be brought inside on cold days and nights? -- ANIMAL LOVER IN NORFOLK, N.Y.
DEAR ANIMAL LOVER: While some breeds of dogs fare better in cold weather than others, all of them need interaction with their guardians. The animals you observed may have been left in the cold out of ignorance on the part of the humans with whom they co-exist.
I don't care how furry some of our furry friends appear to be. Check with your veterinarian to see when your breed should be brought indoors.
DEAR ABBY: I'm a divorced single mother with a 13-year-old daughter I'll call "Gia." We live next door to an attractive 62-year-old widow I'll call "Doris," who has become like a grandmother to Gia and a dear friend to me.
Last night I went to my daughter's room and found her standing on a stool in her closet looking out a small window into Doris' bedroom. When I asked Gia what she was doing, she didn't answer, so I climbed up on the stool to see for myself. Abby, Doris was in bed with her son, "Jeff," having sex. I could hardly believe my eyes!
Jeff is 36 and a mama's boy. He has his own home but visits his mother often. Gia said she has watched them many times since we moved here four years ago, and described some of the things she's seen.
I'm not sure how to handle this. Doris is very close to us, and Gia seems unaffected when we get together for dinner or the movies, etc.
Should I tell Doris and Jeff that I saw them? And what do I say to my daughter, who has been "educated" beyond her years? -- SEEN ENOUGH, CHAMPAIGN, ILL.
DEAR SEEN ENOUGH: You should definitely tell Doris that your daughter has been getting an eyeful from her closet window, and strongly suggest that Doris' curtains be closed when Jeff is "visiting." And if you haven't already talked to your daughter about sex — and appropriate behavior — it's time you played catch-up, so don't delay.
I would find it hard to continue a friendship with a woman in an incestuous relationship with her son. They're in serious need of counseling.
DEAR ABBY: I am an assistant librarian in New Mexico. My daughter recently told me she's going to convert to Buddhism. I'm perplexed by her choice. I want to support her because her aunt is also a Buddhist, but I wasn't raised Buddhist.
What advice can you give me? -- LONGTIME READER
DEAR LONGTIME READER: As an assistant librarian, you're surrounded by books. The time has come to pick up a couple and start reading about Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. If you're near a computer, Google it. You'll find an abundance of information on the subject. I would also recommend that you attend a couple of meetings with your daughter. That way, you'll have a better understanding of what she — and her aunt — are attracted to.