Dear Abby

DEAR ABBY: I admire your wit and appreciate your candor, which is why I'm writing to you. I've been dating a man for 4 1/2 years. He's 56; I'm 60. I hope for a life with him, marriage, a place of our own, etc. The only obstacle is his obligation to look after his aging parents and help them stay in their home, which he promised them years ago.

At first, I was OK waiting for him to finish with them and looking forward to a time for us. I tried to help. I even moved into his parents' home with the three of them, as I am a certified home care aide, but his mother was impossible. Even though it was her idea that I move in, it became obvious that she didn't want my help with anything. She even banned me from "her" kitchen.

I spent six months there, sleeping in my own room, separated from my love, because in their world, if you're not married and you're having sex, you're a sinner who's going to hell. Of course, we were having sex discreetly, but apparently not discreetly enough, because his mother was absolutely certain we were having sex in her house against her rules.

Abby, it was a nightmare. There was more involved, but I was ultimately turned out of the house with no notice. LONG story short: I don't know if I can wait much longer for the life with him I want. Who knows how long this will go on. I'm losing faith it will ever work out. What do you advise? -- RESTLESS IN WASHINGTON

DEAR RESTLESS: You and your boyfriend are adults and entitled to a sex life if you want one. That he allowed his controlling mother to "turn you out of the house with no notice" (!) and couldn't find the courage to enlighten her that if you left, he would be out of there, too, should have been the wake-up call you needed to move on.

Four and a half years has been long enough to wait. If you want the life you describe, your chances will be far better if you continue looking for a man who is available, because this one clearly isn't.

DEAR ABBY: My son married a girl from Taiwan. She's sweet but very uncultured. I have tried for more than 10 years to get along with her, but it has been very hard. We have nothing in common except my son.

She doesn't cook very often, or clean or do laundry. Her English is terrible. She dresses poorly, has no interest in her home and celebrates no holidays. We are never invited to dinner. We always entertain them. They have no children.

Our relationship with our son is strong, but I have grown to dislike her. She does very little for him. Her interest in saving money at the expense of any enjoyment is sad. I don't know what to do. Help, please. -- DISAPPOINTED IN TEXAS

DEAR DISAPPOINTED: OK, so she's not your ideal daughter-in-law. Your son married this woman for a reason. The question is, does she make him happy? If the answer is yes, devote your energy to focusing on that rather than your negative feelings about her. And when you entertain them, rather than do it grudgingly, remember you are doing it for him. (And smile.)

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 "popular" parents, enforcing no discipline/guidance ever in their children's lives, still to this day.

The 19-year-old daughter has drug and alcohol problems and recently lost control at a friend's house while under the influence. Her parents were called to pick her up. They called me on their way home and asked if I could help to get her under control. When they arrived, the daughter was screaming and violently beating up her mother in the back seat. She kicked out the side window of the car and was urinating everywhere. She was suicidal.

We got her out of the car, and she continued to be combative, screaming repeatedly that she wanted to die. I told them I was going to call 911 and they turned on me telling me, "Absolutely not!" They just wanted help to get her inside and tie her to the furniture and let her sleep it off. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

They dragged her by her arms on the ground into the house, where the screaming and fighting escalated. I called the police. She was transported to the hospital on a 5150, 72-hour hold. Now they are mad at me. I feel I did the right thing, especially since they chose to involve me and given what the alternative could have been. Was I wrong? Or do I need to reevaluate the friendship? -- INTERVENING IN ARIZONA

DEAR INTERVENING: By all means, reevaluate your friendship with this clueless couple, who should be thanking you. Their daughter needs far more help than her parents could provide by tying her to the furniture. She needs intervention, as well as psychological and medical treatment. You not only did nothing wrong by calling 911, you did everything right.

DEAR ABBY: I recently made plans with a friend. A couple days beforehand, when I texted her asking if we were still on, she told me she'd made other plans. She claims she forgot we had plans, but she told the other person there was nothing written in stone, so she opted to hang out with her for a special birthday dinner.

My friend admitted she wanted to spend time with the other person, which is fine, but I don't understand her lying to me about forgetting our plans. Now I no longer trust what she says. Lying does not build relationships, and she doesn't appear to care how I feel. I don't know how to respond to her now because she doesn't see why I am upset, regardless of what I say. -- CAST OFF IN MICHIGAN

DEAR CAST OFF: Stop responding to this person, who seems like more of a flake than a friend. If her company is worth it, see her when it's convenient for you, and if you get a better offer don't hesitate to jump on it -- after telling her what you are doing, of course. To simply stand her up would be rude.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been pet owners for 30 years. Our last beloved dog passed away six months ago. We are in our late 50s and still work full time. We agreed we would not get any more animals because we would like to travel without worry for a change.

My sister has a big old dog that is good-natured and well-mannered, and she's hinting for me to keep him so she can go to stay in her son's condo in Florida that allows no pets. Her dog may be well-mannered, but he drools and shakes his head and all that flies all over my house and furniture. Yuck! I recommended a friend of mine to her who would take good care of him.

After our last pooch died, we cleaned our house, bought new rugs and got rid of the dog odor. We are not ready for any more animals in our home. I commute to my job by train and, frankly, don't have time to watch her dog.

Since I recommended my friend, my sister has stopped answering my calls and texts. I feel bad, but her animal is not my responsibility. My husband and I don't want to share our home with her 89-pound dog. Her request was presumptuous, but I still feel guilty. What should I do? Just deal with the silence? I don't feel I deserve the punishment I'm receiving. -- IN THE DOGHOUSE IN TENNESSEE

DEAR DOGHOUSE: What you do now is stick to your guns and refuse to knuckle under to your sister's emotional blackmail. She should have accepted your refusal to be the answer to her big, jowly, drooly problem with grace. You have been a responsible pet owner. You were kind to recommend someone who would take good care of your sister's furry family member, and you have the RIGHT to enjoy your freedom now.

DEAR ABBY: For more than seven years, my partner and I have been in a romantic relationship. In the past, our connection was full of affection. We would hold hands, kiss and hug in public. However, over the past year, his affection has diminished. While I trust that he still loves me, I suspect he no longer finds me attractive.

I have spoken to him about it and explained the effect this is having on my self-esteem, and that I cry myself to sleep. He attributes his lack of passion to exhaustion, despite having plenty of energy for other activities. He's 67; I'm 53. I don't know what to do because he refuses to seek counseling. Please help. -- ROMANTIC LADY IN TEXAS

DEAR LADY: Because your partner refuses to seek counseling doesn't mean that you couldn't benefit from it. His diminished interest in affection, and everything that goes with it, is not necessarily a reflection on you.

Some males in his age bracket experience a similar lack of interest in sex. However, when they see the effect it may have on their partner, they consult a specialist to ask if anything can be done about it. Your partner's doctor could refer him to someone, but only if he's willing to ask.