She Loved her Pet and I Didn’t
DR. WALLACE: Several years ago, you wrote a column saying
that every teen who wanted a pet should get one, preferably
at the animal shelter. My then 14-year-old daughter wanted a
cat for a pet, so she picked one out at the shelter. She
took good care of him, had him fixed and took him regularly
to the vet. She loves him.
But recently, my now 19-year-old daughter joined the
Navy, and I have to take care of a cat I never wanted. I
don't care for cats and now I'm stuck with one. Please don't
say that all teens that want a pet should have one. What
happens when the teen leaves home and the parent is left to
care for it? — Mother, Dallas.
MOTHER: Pets are wonderful creatures that can bring much
joy to a family. Your daughter can attest to that. Give the
cat a chance to bring some of that same joy into your life.
It may take a while, but once you and the cat begin to
understand each other, the two of you will bond. When your
daughter returns home, she may discover that Kitty is more
yours than hers, but I'm sure she'll be happy for you.
HE DOESN'T KNOW THE MEANING OF 'NO'
DR. WALLACE: I've been dating Doug for about a month. He
is terribly handsome, but at times he is super aggressive,
which sometimes scares me. He doesn't know the meaning of
"stop" or "no." I like Doug and know several girls who would
like to be going out with him. What can I do to cool his
aggression? — Nameless, Birmingham, Ala.
NAMELESS: Forget about how Doug looks or the fact that
other girls would like to go out with him. Your instincts
are warning you to stop seeing Doug. Making you feel scared
is wrong! The best way to end this unnecessary feeling is
through total separation from the one who is causing it.
LOVE OVERCOMES ALL OBSTACLES
DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and engaged to a wonderful guy who is
31. I love him dearly. and he loves me with all of his heart
and soul. I met him at a friend's wedding a year ago. and I
guess you can say it was love at first sight. This guy has
made my life complete. I thank the good Lord every day for
allowing me to meet this guy. And to think, I almost didn't
go to the wedding because I had a touch of the flu.
My problem is, you guessed it, my parents. They are very
upset that I'm marrying a guy 12 years my senior. They keep
telling me I'll be a young 48 when he's an old 60. They also
tell me that statistics show I'll be a widow for 15 to 20
years. Yesterday, my older sister — who sides with my
parents — made the remark that if Brad and I have children,
he can be their father and grandfather at the same time. My
entire family started laughing.
I don't see this 12-year age difference as any kind of
problem. Brad feels the same way. I've been reading your
column ever since I was in eighth grade, and I feel you give
fair answers. I also need some moral support. Regardless of
what my family thinks, Brad and I are getting married late
this year. He is a college graduate and works as a sales
representative for a major manufacturer. I work full time as
a receptionist in a doctor's office. Please give me your
opinion of my situation. — Tanya, Ocala, Fla.
TANYA: Age difference is less important when both parties
are over 18. Marry Brad and live happily ever after. It will
take a little time, but your family will come to realize
that love overcomes all obstacles.
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers.
Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually,
he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail
him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr.
Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate
writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate
website at www.creators.com.
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