DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I recently started treatments to help me get pregnant, since I have some health issues that can interfere with conception. There is only one OB/GYN practice in my area that offers the specialized care I need.

A lot of my treatments are very time sensitive, and I find myself battling with my OB/GYN’s front office staff to get necessary appointments and services booked. I also seem to have to leave multiple messages for my doctor and her nurse before I get a response. I don’t know if they are getting the messages I leave the first or second time.

The front office people don’t seem to get how important this is to me, and how difficult it can be for me to have to make multiple calls a day around my work schedule.

Normally, I am not a complainer, but I have so much at stake in this case. I want to complain to the head of the office, but I am afraid it might backfire, and I’ll get even less cooperation.

Is it worth the risk to get the care I think I am entitled to, or could I just screw things up worse for myself? --- TRYING TO BE A PATIENT PATIENT

DEAR TRYING TO BE A PATIENT PATIENT: It’s often hard to understand how something of vital importance to us is all in a day’s work for the people we’re counting on for assistance or support. However, that doesn’t mean you should accept what you consider substandard care from either the professional or support staff at a doctor’s office.

If it’s a matter of believing that the front office gate-keepers aren’t getting your messages where they need to go, you might be able to back up your phone calls with emails left directly for your provider and/or the scheduler via a patient portal or other electronic avenue. Although these too are possibly screened by someone other than the provider, there’s at least a chance of getting a direct response when phone calling isn’t doing the trick.

If that doesn’t work, I’ve found that polite persistence will often get you further, in the long run, than angry complaining, even if you find you need to take your concerns “to the top.” Often the head of support services is your best bet for getting issues ironed out, and you shouldn’t fear repercussions, especially if you avoid finger-pointing and name-dropping.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I recently adopted a dog from our local pound. When I got him, I learned a little about his history, like that he was not treated all that well, and that while they couldn’t give me any details, it sounds like it wasn’t a good start for my new pup.

My dog is as gentle as can be, but I think his last owner, the one who didn’t treat him too well, may have been a man, because whenever a man, or even my teenage brother or cousins come over, the dog runs away and hides under my bed. That does not usually happen when women come over.

I feel so bad for him, but I can’t really not have any men or older boys at my house. I keep thinking about if I start seeing someone and he wants to spend time at my place.

What do I do with my nervous doggie? --- MY DOG HIDES A LOT

DEAR MY DOG HIDES A LOT: I think this is something to bring to the attention of your dog’s veterinarian. They may have suggestions to help relieve your new pet’s anxiety around men. They could also perhaps refer you to an experienced trainer or other dog handling professional who’s knowledgeable about these kinds of adjustment issues in rescued animals.

By the way, I’m glad you went for a pound puppy. Giving a dog a new and loving home is a wonderful thing to do. I hope it all works out for you and your new pet.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My husband is usually one of the coolest people I know. He is smart, funny, kind, and brave in situations I could never face. But when he gets even slightly sick or mildly injured, he is a bigger baby than our three-year-old and our nine-month-old baby.

I know I shouldn’t lose patience with my husband, but good god, when he is home with a cold, I have a toddler and an infant (who has yet to sleep through the night!) already keeping me on the run.

How do I tell my biggest baby I have other things I need to do more than take care of him when he is home sick for a day or two? --- HAVE AN EXTRA BABY ON MY HANDS

DEAR HAVE AN EXTRA BABY ON MY HANDS: If your husband’s as smart and kind as you say he is — and even if he isn’t — I would hope he’s up to being told that, while you feel sorry for how lousy he feels, you also need him to be an adult and fend for himself when he’s home sick with relatively minor complaints, so you can take care of the people who rightfully need and deserve your attention.