ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I have a message I hope you will please share.

The last several years have seen numerous natural disasters. The human toll has been great, but there are thousands of other victims that have no voice. Pets, especially cats, are left behind. I encourage all pet owners to have a disaster plan for their pets. Please make sure you have...Read more

Dear Annie: I have some co-workers who irritate me. The work we do is intense and stressful, so I can't easily mind my own business. This is designed to be a collaborative work environment. And yet, I am usually feeling like a lone ranger. I have brought this up to one of the co-workers in question but was met with little empathy.

I'd like to...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a friend who I have known for many years, and suddenly I have noticed that she is getting possessive with me. She just wants to see me alone, and she questions whether or not I'm seeing other friends when I can't see her at a certain time. She makes comments about how popular I am and makes sarcastic comments about friends ...Read more

Dear Annie: I used to drink coffee only now and then, just for enjoyment. But since my job has become more intense and stressful, I've found myself needing at least a cup a day to keep me alert and functioning at full capacity. I don't like that I'm dependent on caffeine now. I notice that when I haven't had coffee by noon or so, I feel crabby...Read more

Dear Readers: A recent column talked about someone being grossed out when entering a bathroom stall because the previous occupant failed to flush. I was pretty hard on that previous occupant, assuming they were at fault. Quite a few readers pointed out that this might have been a problem of technology and not inconsideration. Here are two of ...Read more

Dear Annie: I endured a very traumatic childhood. I was verbally abused. I was physically abused. I was sexually abused and raped.

I'm writing because I want to know the best way to respond to ignorant and insensitive remarks about my childhood. I have been told, "just leave it in the past"; "focus on the positive"; "it's all a mindset"; "...Read more

Dear Annie: My grandfather was violently abusive to his wife, and then his daughter (my mother), and then to me. He was also very racist -- he punished me for having a black friend in grade school -- and just generally cruel.

Now, his health is not so good, and his old age has mellowed him out considerably. He can still have temper rages if ...Read more

Dear Annie: As much as I hate to admit it, I think about divorce practically every day. Divorce, however, isn't something I want. What I want is for my husband to understand my point of view -- which is why I'm writing this letter. He reads your column religiously. Maybe my words will sink in when he reads them here rather than hearing them ...Read more

Dear Annie: I hope this is not out of your area, but I have a parking-related question for you. We have a neighbor who always says, "Don't park in front of my house." This guy and his family are not very polite, and they will run outside and start arguments and create scenes if you try to park there. I avoid parking there at all costs so that ...Read more

Dear Annie: A few years ago, I joined a duplicate bridge group in town and got paired with an older man who had just broken up with his partner. He taught beginner classes and was a great help in getting me up to speed with modern conventions, as it had been years since I'd played. We did well for the first two years.

Unfortunately, over the ...Read more

Dear Annie: I wanted to send you my observation about your advice and columns: You are outstanding! Your replies are heartfelt, and I feel your compassion. Thank you. -- A Friendly Reader

Dear Friendly Reader: You made my day -- thank YOU!

Dear Readers: Isn't it great when things go well in your life and you receive praise? We all feel ...Read more

Dear Annie: I need to vent here. I have a group of girlfriends, and there is one, "Melanie," who dominates the conversation. Melanie's voice is louder than mine so if I am telling a story or asking a question, she will just blare out whatever is on her mind. Another annoying habit: Even if someone is talking directly to Melanie, she often ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm sitting at Reagan National Airport close to dinnertime. There are limited options for seats and tables for people to eat at. You know the scene -- folks standing behind diners who look to be finished.

There is a mother and two daughters who, from the look of the trash around them, finished a long time ago. They're all playing ...Read more

Dear Annie: I read your column every day and am a faithful fan. Your column reaches a multitude of readers and is a valuable way to enlighten and educate on topics either not talked about or not well known. I wanted to write to you about a condition that my son has, in hopes of educating people about it, as there are many others who have the ...Read more

Dear Readers: Fathers and father figures deserve more than one day of recognition for all their work and love, and the amount of beautiful words sent in reflected this. Below are a few more moving tributes submitted for Father's Day.

'My Father's Example'

A father gives instruction to his family,

Is willing to go the extra mile.

Always ...Read more

Dear Readers: Below are just a few of the very touching and beautiful tributes you submitted for Fathers Day. It was so nice to read about all of the love, gratitude and humor you expressed about your fathers. Happy Father's Day.

Dear Annie: My 94-year-old father, Fred Koenig, has been writing poetry for many years. We have printed a book of ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have known one of my friends, "Pam," for more than 50 years, and at times she has been a very good friend. She and her husband introduced me to my now-ex-husband and were both in my wedding party.

Last year, I had a disagreement with a mutual friend, "Sharon." Quite frankly, I thought Sharon was in the wrong, but I decided her ...Read more

Dear Annie: I lived with my husband for 50 years. We met spontaneously, and I moved in with him soon afterward. He was different from the norm. He was smart, always outgoing and had many great friends. I fell deeply in love. We got married after a few years together and began to build our careers in businesses, where we both became respected ...Read more

Dear Annie: My daughter was 14 weeks pregnant when the baby died. The nurse midwives, who were wonderful, sent her home to have the miscarriage and told her it could take up to two weeks to "be complete."

I was surprised and extremely saddened by how she was treated by her supervisor at work. She is a professional engineer, and when she ...Read more

Dear Annie: My 81-year-old mom and I live together. I work 52 hours a week, so she is home alone a lot. She does get picked up by friends a few times a week to play bingo.

But something serious has happened. A guy started an online chat with her on a "Words with Friends" game. She chatted back, and by the fourth chat he had asked for her for ...Read more