Research may help stem excessive sleep salivation

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This article was published 10/10/2022 (1444 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My sweetheart drools when she sleeps, and it’s getting disgusting. I thought I could handle it, but I touched her pillow in the morning while making the bed, and it was all wet.

I was just so grossed out. I have no idea what to do about this, but I’m disgusted. I don’t want to hurt my soulmate by telling her about it, since obviously this wouldn’t be happening if she could control it.

—Yucky Situation, downtown

Dear Yucky: A quick fix for drooling is sleeping on one’s back — but that’s easier said than done. If a drooler automatically rolls to one side while asleep, nothing is accomplished.

You might search online (on some of the more credible health-related sites) for drooling-cessation tips and strategies. Then you could coach her on them — if she’ll listen. It’s also necessary for your partner to see a doctor about the excessive drooling you described, just to check for any underlying health causes.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I recently fostered a dog and thought I’d be happy once she found her forever home. Ha! Now that she’s moved on to it, I miss her so much! I know it’s totally inappropriate to try to get her back, but I just don’t want a different dog. I don’t know how to move on from her.

The shelter is asking if I can take in another, and I’ve just been avoiding their calls.

— Big Foster Fail, Windsor Park

Dear Foster Fail: Call the dog rescue folks back and tell them honestly how you’re feeling. If by chance, that dog’s “forever home” might be looking to return her, be clear you want her back to stay with you, forever.

Otherwise you have learned this lesson: You actually need a dog to keep. It’s really worth making a call to the rescue you used, and they could probably help you. They deserve an honest call, not avoidance. They will not think you’re a bad guy. Tell them you fell in love with the dog, and just cannot foster another dog you can’t keep.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My recent ex-boyfriend has large eyes and a small chin — kind of like a fish, but in a nice way. I told him I secretly call him “Fish Eyes.”

“That’s what you call me? Thanks a lot!” he said and then he stomped off.

Today he finally took my call and said angrily: “What if I told you you had a pig nose?” Then I started crying, because I do have a pushed-up nose and my nostrils show.

— Hurting So Much, Fort Garry

Dear Hurting So Much: Once rude personal insults are exchanged, there’s no taking them back. You two can apologize, but the magic is gone from your relationship. You’re going to have to start fresh with other people, and keep a tight rein on your mouth.

Also, don’t tell this story to friends, looking for sympathy. Keep that unfortunate exchange of insults to yourself, so it doesn’t get back to your ex once again.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My young wife came home last Friday night, smelling like a bonfire. I asked her where she’d been and she said “late night shopping” and threw a bag of groceries on the table. I responded, “At a bonfire?” and she blushed. I said, “At least you could have avoided standing downwind from the smoke!”

She swears nothing is going on, and oh, how I want to believe her! But she is always coming home late from her work in the city. We live on an acreage by her request, as she’s a country girl.

— Unhappy Older Husband, north of Winnipeg

Dear Unhappy: You could open this all-important conversation by saying from the heart, “I sense that you’re not happy and I know you’ve started going out without me. Can you please tell me what’s gone wrong with our marriage? I am hurting a lot.” That should start her talking.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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