Dear Amy: “Neighbor A” had a very rough year. Her business went under, and she lost her home to foreclosure.
My husband and I helped her move to an apartment. She left a cute, expensive little dog, along with some possessions, in her home. She said that she couldn’t have the dog at her apartment and that her adult daughter was going to get the dog.
A week later, I was reading in my newspaper about abandoned pets due to foreclosure. It made me think of that dog. My husband and I went over to see if the daughter had picked up the dog. She hadn’t, and the dog did not have any food or a drop of water. The temperature all week was 105.
I fed and gave water to the dog, and I took it for a walk. I called “Neighbor A” and told her the condition of her dog. She said she would contact her daughter again. I told her that I would continue checking on the dog, but that I was leaving on vacation soon.
“Neighbor B” agreed to check on the dog, along with our pets, while we were away. While on vacation, I got a frantic message from “Neighbor A” that her dog was gone.
I called her and left a message that I had no idea what happened to the dog and that I left “Neighbor B” in charge of checking on the dog. “Neighbor A” left more messages that she went door to door asking about the dog. She was told that “Neighbor C” took the dog.
When I returned home, “Neighbor C” told me that she put the dog in a shelter more than 100 miles away. “Neighbor A” is now asking me if I know anything about the situation because she wants to press charges.
What do I tell “Neighbor A”? — Dog Drama
Dear Drama: The person who should be concerned about having charges pressed against her is “Neighbor A.” It seems that in this case, the pet owner has not made a concerted effort to find a home for her dog — or to check on it while it was in limbo.
Your neighbor has already heard that “Neighbor C” took the dog. You can say, “If your understanding is that ‘Neighbor C’ took the dog, then you really should ask her — not me — where it is.”
Dear Amy: My second cousin is getting married in a few months. I am her godmother and have been asked to read at the ceremony.
My stepdaughter, who has been in my family for 10 years, was not invited to the bridal shower, and neither she nor my stepson was invited to the wedding.
My nephews on my side, who are the exact same ages as my stepkids (19 and 21), both received invitations. I can’t understand why my stepkids would be left out. I have no knowledge of any tiff or hard feelings from my cousin or her parents. We are all very hurt.
Do they not see us as a family unit because the kids don’t live with us? — Confused in Connecticut
Dear Confused: As the godmother of the bride, you are the focus of this couple’s interest. Children of second cousins (or godparents) are not automatically included in wedding invitations when these children are grown and out of the house.
You should ask the marrying couple to clarify who in your family unit is included in the invitation. Then it will be up to you to decide whether you want to participate.
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