Wife right to howl over dinner gone to dogs

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This article was published 26/02/2022 (1679 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: Every time we invite our friends over, they bring their two big dogs. They treat these dogs like children, as they have no kids.

I’m all for loving your pets, but they hand-feed their dogs pieces of meat from their plates, under our dinner table. They also let them climb all over our furniture.

My wife has had enough. Right after the last dinner, she asked them to please not bring their dogs over anymore. Well, this did not go over very well.

They got up, called their “babies” and left. Now, nobody is speaking each another.

I support my wife. I feel she did nothing wrong. Why is it that people who bring pets over do not realize that handing scraps down to them off their dinner plates is completely wrong, and disrespectful to the hosts? I don’t even know why the dogs were allowed in the dining room.

— Shaking My Head, St. James

Dear Shaking My Head: Your wife couldn’t wait to get rid of this gang that evening, so she chided them right after dinner, and it worked. She knew they’d take offence, but may have not thought they’d up and and leave, and stop communicating.

What is proper pet etiquette? Guests should leave their pets at home, unless they’re specifically asked to bring them along. This sometimes does happen, when both hosts and guests want their animals to be friends and enjoy playtime together.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’ve started having a secret relationship with the younger sister of my brother’s wife.

When my old girlfriend and I broke up during COVID, you couldn’t go out much, and I was lonely. I knew this younger sister had a little crush on me from seeing her at family gatherings before and after the wedding, so I phoned her up. We’ve been secretly seeing each other since then.

We thought we could keep it private because she has her own place and so do I — and it’s worked fine. But now, this girl wants us to be together all the time.

She also wants us to come out of the closet. Even though we’re in our early 20s, her older sister and my stodgy brother will be worried, unless we’re really serious. I don’t know that yet. What’s your advice?

— Just Having Fun, South St. Vital

Dear Fun: Your new girlfriend is tired of sneaking around and wants your relationship to be recognized, and who can blame her? It’s time for you to grow up and be her partner around her family and in public.

Not that interested? Then break up now, before it becomes known you’re together. That’ll save the mess you’d cause by announcing you’re together, and then breaking up with her soon after. Surely, you can endure the COVID dating wasteland for a little while longer!

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I have a job which is very safe, but my mother thinks I should quit because of COVID or “the bad sick,” as she calls it.

I keep telling her it’s OK and not to worry, but she acts like it’s a miracle every time I come back through the door. I can’t quit because we need the money, and she knows that.

What can I do?

— Safer Than Mom Thinks, West End

Dear Safer: You might be able to solve this with some photos from work. Take some pics with your masks and any other protective equipment showing.

Have a co-worker standing two metres away from you, with both of you waving at Mom. This could be reassuring enough for her. If not, ask your boss in to the photos!

All she can do now is imagine the worst, so also explain to her about all the measures that are taken to ensure your safety. Good luck with Mama!

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.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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