Neighbor draws line at socializing

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I retired a few years ago to a neighborhood where most of the residents are our age, and we have become friendly with the widow next door. My husband and I help her...

Bird gets the royal treatment

DEAR ABBY: My sister has a squawky bird she insists on keeping alongside the dinner table when she invites guests for dinner. Its ear-piercing screeching inhibits guests’ ability to carry on...

Snooping boyfriend unhappy about discovery

DEAR ABBY: I’m a single man, and have been for 15 years. A year ago, I met a guy, “Josh,” and we fell in love. He lived 240 miles away. A month ago, he transferred his job to my city and mov...

Aunt learns reason behind silence

DEAR ABBY: I am very close to my oldest sister’s three sons, especially “Lucas,” who is 38. He and I have communicated often and have seen each other (we live in different states) over the y...

Mother makes little effort to meet people

DEAR ABBY: My mother, who is 69, recently moved close to where my wife and I live to be near us as she ages. On the whole, this has been great for all of us. Mom is in good health and still ...

Church leader lies about infidelity

DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Silas,” and I have been married for 30 years. He is the deacon and Sunday school teacher at our church. (His brother is the pastor.) Silas had a two-year affair with ...

Young dog has become a nuisance and a danger

DEAR ABBY: I am a retiree with diabetes and heart trouble. My husband is disabled. I’m his sole caregiver when I have the energy to do it. Our adult daughter lives with us and works full tim...

Unstable relative reappears as dad’s health declines

DEAR ABBY: My aunt frequently cuts people out of her life for perceived slights – small, large and imagined. A few years ago, she got into a fight with my dad (her brother). Somehow, the res...

Boyfriend’s addiction a deal-breaker

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my live-in boyfriend, “Kyle,” for four years. He has many great qualities, the most important of them being he fully accepts my daughter as his own. He doesn’t se...

Parents angered when neighbor calls 911

DEAR ABBY: My next-door neighbors, whom I have become close with, have three adult children. My friends admit it’s always been important for them to be their children’s friends and be the “p...

Disagreement progresses to estrangement

DEAR ABBY: After several years of worsening arguments, I told my father I was tired of fighting with him, and we needed family counseling. He was deeply, explosively offended and not only re...

Secrets still held as union ends

DEAR ABBY: After many years of trying to keep our family together, divorce is our final option. My husband has had two affairs that I know of during our 30-year marriage. They hurt me deeply...