ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I really love pets, especially cats, and I always make sure they're well taken care of by taking them to the nearest vet to keep them healthy and safe. Recently, my neighbor asked me to look after her cat for what she said would be a few days, but it's now been four weeks, and she still hasn't returned. While I love animals and ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For the past four years, my wife and I have hosted a New Year's Eve family party at our home. Adults occupy the upstairs, and children (roughly ages 8-13) enjoy themselves in the basement, with frequent parental supervision.

The party now attracts nearly 100 adults and children. Everyone tells us they have a great time and ...Read more

Dear Annie: I live with bipolar disorder, which I was first diagnosed with in the early 1990s. My husband and I got together after my diagnosis, and he has been my biggest support through everything -- navigating different providers, raising my children (not his) who also had their challenges and helping me stay stable.

There have been tough ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 43-year-old woman who has struggled with self-esteem and personal relationships my entire life. My fiance and I have talked in depth about past trauma, but it wasn't until within the past year that I've realized how much of an impact my mother had on those aspects of my life.

From as far back as I can remember, she always told...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 30-year-old woman, and my parents are constantly pressuring me to get married. The truth is, I don't want to -- ever. I've made a conscious decision to focus on my own passions, dreams and personal growth instead of pursuing a traditional path. However, this choice has been met with disappointment from my family, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over the last two years, I have been making incremental changes to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Is it rude to give eco-friendly or reusable products to family and friends?

For example, my sister started a new job and I would like to give her a set of reusable utensils to eat her lunch with, rather than relying on her ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have struggled with several chronic health issues for over a decade, which often leave me fatigued, in pain or struggling with my memory. Yet because of my age (early 20s), I often get laughed off or dismissed if I bring these up.

It doesn't come from my family, friends or close co-workers, thankfully. They are all compassionate...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 10 years and in a relationship for 20. I just found out that for more than a year he has been lying about working. He pretended he had a part-time contracting job and has been using our savings to pass as income from this fictional job.

Over the past year, we made a lot of financial decisions based ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been a big fan of your column for years, but I felt that some useful context was missing from a recent response about how to deal with people knocking on doors.

Having worked extensively in political outreach, I understand how frustrating unsolicited visits can be. However, canvassing for elections or other causes is hard ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I just turned 29. My partner, "Jeremy," and I have been together for six years and have talked about getting engaged. He set the timeline for an expectation of when he'd propose early on in our relationship -- by "five or 30" (meaning either we've been together for five years or he hits 30). Both of those marks hit last year, and I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate and his girlfriend constantly bicker, and I always end up being dragged into the middle of their arguments. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm being forced to pick sides when I don't even want to be involved at all. To make matters worse, I can't help but feel bad for his girlfriend because, frankly, my roommate...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I dislike being in posed photos, particularly now that everything ends up posted online. Friends won't let me off the hook. "Oh, come on!" they repeat, every time I say "no thanks."

Of course I participate during special occasions, such as family photos at my nephew's wedding. But on casual occasions, how do I excuse myself ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been with my spouse for nine years. Lately, I feel he's so distant, and I can't help but be bothered by it. About a year ago, everything changed. He started hiding his phone, being secretive with his friends, had multiple social media accounts, etc.

I've had a gut feeling for a while, and when I talked to him about it, he ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married a long time. Our relationship is stable but rocky. I have suffered from depression since childhood, and I am now trying to manage it. My husband has his own issues. One of them is that he often brings up something he finds "amusing" about my parents. For example, he mocks my dad and the home I grew ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been friends with this guy for two years, and over time, I've started to feel like our connection might be more than just friendship. He's always been kind, thoughtful and supportive, and I really enjoy spending time with him. Lately, I've caught myself looking at him differently and wondering if he feels the same way ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A while ago, I went through a traumatic experience in my life and was very depressed. I read online about a celebrity who was going through the same experience. Through different social media channels, I began communicating with this person.

We became quick friends and spoke often. I really enjoyed talking with him and looked...Read more