ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor's dog keeps digging up our yard and leaving feces there. I have gone over to my neighbor and tried to address this issue, but her dog continues to destroy our yard. I suggested that she get a fence, and she said they were looking into it, but I don't think they are going to because fences can be very expensive. At ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am frequently included in group texts involving relatives, friends, and former colleagues. These conversations range from lighthearted banter to grave news or shared memories.

While I am not always interested in the topics discussed, I worry that failing to reply -- what my daughter calls "ghosting" -- is rude. I often feel...Read more

Dear Annie: My twin sister and I have been compared to each other for as long as I can remember. As children, people compared our grades, our looks, our friends and even our personalities. We always laughed it off, but now that we are older, I'm beginning to realize how much those comparisons still affect me.

My life has turned out very well....Read more

DEAR ABBY: My grandson is 2 and has started to call me "Mimi." The problem is that his other grandmother chose Mimi for herself. My daughter-in-law is annoyed and does not want him calling me Mimi. She also doesn't want me to be called Mom-Mom because he calls her Ma-Ma. Am I wrong to be upset? I've been an active caregiver in this child's life ...Read more

The last thing my 10-year-old asked me last night was if he'd get his seal shirt in the morning. The first thing my 11-year-old mumbled when I turned on his light and wished him a happy birthday was, "Seal shirt."

His obsession with seals started with his first stuffed animal, a harbor seal that was a cast-off from his sister's collection. ...Read more

Dear Readers: Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. People are encouraged to forgive, reflect and start fresh. And while it is a Jewish holiday, its message is one that just about anyone can appreciate.

The idea is simple: Take a look at the year behind you and ask yourself a few questions. Was I kind enough? Did I make time for the ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a person with a million-dollar heart and a 5-cent bank account. I have big dreams that I know could change lives. I want to write a book about my experience with emotional abuse so I can help others heal. I also dream of starting a soda stand to build something tangible with my kids.

The problem is that my current life is ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I married my husband about five years ago, and his family always expects us to host for holidays and other celebrations. After five years of this, I am reaching my breaking point. My husband and I are both successful and have been able to buy a large home. My husband's family is huge, so our home accommodates everyone the best, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friends and I have been celebrating a monthly Moms Night Out for years. There are 11 of us, and it's common practice that the restaurants we visit include an 18% gratuity in our bill because we are such a large party.

Normally this is fine; however, there have been times when we have received very poor service. If we feel ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm an 18-year-old woman who just started my freshman year of college out of state. Everything is going well, and I'm meeting new people with different perspectives.

One thing I'm experiencing is my "I don't know" phase, which is new for me. Especially with relationships, I don't know if I like certain boys because they're ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: About 15 years ago, my nephew gave me a birthday gift of a baseball bat signed by a top player. I love baseball, so it was a lovely gift. After I thanked him, he said, "When my son is older, I would like you to give it to him." We have been estranged now for at least 10 years because his spouse dislikes our family for some reason.

Am...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 14-year-old nephew's teeth are rotting, and my brother and sister-in-law are choosing to ignore it instead of taking him to the dentist. My nephew had poor dental hygiene growing up and rarely brushed his teeth. Over the years, I have noticed that his dental health has gotten progressively worse, and now it has reached a point...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My cohort of parents does not want to be counted among those who neglected their children's education, so I am coming to you, the expert, for your list of important courtesies all children must learn and perform. I hope to encourage and inspire them in the teaching and modeling of manners to the next generation.

GENTLE READER...Read more

Dear Annie: I hesitate to write this because I've never seen anything like this subject in your column. I am a grown woman, mom and grandmother and still have a "blanky." When I come home from work and walk in my bedroom and see the piece of the silk end, I immediately feel relaxed. I know this sounds crazy, but it gives me comfort.

I wouldn'...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend "Ben" and I had many ups and downs in our 30-year friendship. Three years ago, we had one of our periodic blowouts and stopped speaking. I found out recently that he passed away a year later, and I was never informed. The obituary I found online does not mention a cause of death.

I wrote a letter of condolence to his wife, ...Read more