DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, you printed a poem about children with special needs having been sent by God to special parents who can nurture and care for them. Our neighbors -- dear friends of ours -- have a new baby who has challenges. Although there are days that bring with them frustrations, this loving couple is doing a wonderful job of parenting their beautiful little girl.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 30-year-old woman who has recently discovered my biological family. I have a wonderful half-brother and several other amazing people I can now call family.
DEAR ABBY: You advised "Pooped Out in North Carolina" (Sept. 21) that as long as dog doo-doo is securely sealed in a bag, you saw no harm in putting it in a stranger's garbage can.
DEAR ABBY: For 20 years I have gone to considerable thought and expense to carefully select nice holiday cards to send to a varied client base. I have tried to be considerate and sensitive to any cultural and religious differences.
DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing a guy, "Casey," for three years. I have two children by another man, and Casey took them on as if they were his. They even call him "Daddy."
DEAR ABBY: I loved the letter from "Claire in Bethlehem, Pa." (Sept. 4) and her idea of creating dinner parties or luncheons to celebrate days with unique numbers. I agree wholeheartedly with your response to her.
DEAR ABBY: Our family has had a difficult year. We have gone from one drama or trauma to another, but have always managed. There's one issue that I can't fix. My husband, "Arthur," can't keep our problems private. He seems compelled to tell everyone he meets about what's going on.
DEAR ABBY: I am writing in regard to the letter from "On the Fence in Nevada" (Sept. 11), whose mother-in-law dumped her grandchildren's cat on the side of the road. I work as an animal safety officer for the sheriff's office, and I also volunteer for a local animal nonprofit.
DEAR ABBY: I have been dating "Charlie" for almost a year. We both have children from previous relationships. He has recently been talking about marriage, but as much as I care for him, I am reluctant.
DEAR ABBY: I'm 32 and a "large girl." I am also intelligent, witty and fun to be around. I make friends wherever I go. The problem is my mother -- who is also big -- keeps telling me that heavy women are not desirable and we must "settle" when choosing a mate.
DEAR ABBY: Is there anything wrong with having a lover solely for the purpose of sex? He is grieving for his late wife (my best friend), and I am separated from my husband. We're both lonely and have supported each other through our pain. A few weeks ago we decided to become lovers.
DEAR ABBY: Please don't think I'm stupid for asking this, but I need some help. The practice of letter writing appears to be a dying form because of e-mail and texting -- which I'm good at. But when I receive a nice gift, I know the proper way to acknowledge it is to write a thank-you letter.
DEAR ABBY: In your response to the letter from "'Cougar' in New York" (Sept. 3), you invited your male readers to share their thoughts. Abby, cougars are nothing new. They're simply out of the closet.
DEAR ABBY: My wife of 25 years, in an effort to get me to stop smoking, refuses to have sex until I quit. It's been more than a year since we made love.
DEAR ABBY: My neighbors "John" and "Marcia" are such a nice couple, I'm not sure what to do. I don't know them all that well, but what's going on is extremely upsetting.
DEAR ABBY: May I respond to your column regarding excessive waits in doctors' offices (Sept. 1)?
DEAR ABBY: I am a 38-year-old businesswoman. I was single for many years until I met and fell in love with "Rory," who had been a longtime client. We were married a year ago.
DEAR ABBY: My wife, "Paula," and I have a friend I'll call "Mark." I recently learned that before we were married, Mark made a pass at Paula. (He was separated from his wife at the time.) Paula told him she wasn't interested.
DEAR ABBY: I need an unbiased opinion. I am the father of a 12-year-old daughter, "Lia." She catches an early morning bus for school, and I leave for work at the same time her bus picks her up, so I'm in charge of getting her ready.
DEAR ABBY: My boss wants my cell phone number for "work purposes." He has trouble with limits, and I am reluctant to give it to him. I don't want to receive text messages, unsolicited calls or contact outside of work. My private life is just that -- private.
DEAR ABBY: Please print this for me on behalf of myself and all the other well-intentioned folks out there who have lent money to others.
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I were visiting our children and grandson "Rhett," age 24. Rhett is a college student who lives at home. He had his girlfriend "Peggy," who lives in another town, at the house for the weekend.
