0 What to do when a friend suddenly stops contacting you

prettyndsweet12 asks: My friend recently moved and I really miss her. She’s like a second mom to me. The only contact that I have with her now is through social network chatting. But I haven’t heard from her in the past three days, and I’m worried and sad because I really want her to text me back. What should I do?

Hi prettyndsweet12 –

Your question “rang a bell” in my mind, and I was sure I’d answered one like it recently.  Imagine my surprise when I found that I had – and it was to you!  So I know we’ve already talked about missing your friend.   I’m guessing that the really tough issue is what to do when you don’t hear from her.

Well, my friend, I relate!  Every day, Handsome leaves me locked up in our Continue reading

0 How to get kids to do start doing things on their own

Cookie Vidal asks: My brother always asks me to do something when he can do it himself, and I get frustrated. How do I approach it?

Hi Cookie Vidal –

Your situation reminds me of something I went through as a puppy.  When I was about six months old, Handsome took me to the veterinarian to have me spayed (the operation that makes a female dog not able to have puppies).  I had a lot of stitches in my abdomen, and had to walk carefully while it healed – but no one was able to tell me that in a way I could understand.

Right away, after we got home, I tried to jump up on the bed to take a nap.  Well as you can guess, I couldn’t jump very high, and the trying really hurt!  So Handsome lifted me up and put me on the bed.  Then, once I’d had a little nap, I jumped off the bed onto the Continue reading

0 How to let go of caring for a sibling

musicgirl asks: My mom got diagnosed with cancer all the way back in 2006. I was 13 back then, and my sister was 12. Since her diagnosis I’ve taken care of a lot of the responsibilities that would normally be my mom’s, but she couldn’t do, especially taking care of my sister. Everything in our world changed within days. I went from being a 13-year-old to a responsible older sister. I had to learn how to take care of my sister and do house chores and everything while my parents worried about my mom and her health. Since we were young, my parents didn’t tell us everything, we just knew the generals, like when she was having surgery or chemo or whatever… To be honest, I was scared and I didn’t want to know more. We kept growing up and I kept taking care of my sister, and became more of a mother figure when necessary. I attended the parent/teacher conferences and all the meetings from her sports team, and I took her wherever she needed. Now I’m almost 20 and she’s 18. She goes to college now, and she’s grown more independent, but I keep trying to make sure she’s okay and stuff… how can I stop feeling so responsible for her?

Hi musicgirl –

Okay, before I say anything else, may I please bow down to you, in humble awe at what you’ve done.  Diseases are unfair anyway, but this one has not only robbed your mother of the life she planned, but took lots of your time as a teenager too.  I respect your responsibility, your honor, and your deep care for your sister enormously.

But your question points out a problem: you got so good at being such a great caretaker that you don’t know how to Continue reading

2 What’s special about wolves?

EnchantedWolf asks: What is the most important part of being a wolf? I need all the info.

Hi EnchantedWolf –
Well, as a dog, I have to just guess about the important parts, but I should confess first that all dogs are somewhat jealous of wolves.  So what I say will be the qualities I wish I had!

First, clearly, will be Independence.  Wolves don’t tend to be people’s pets, or walk on leashes, or stay locked in yards all day (though there are exceptions).  Wolves don’t usually get house-trained, or trained to heel, sit, stay, or roll over.  Wolves live in a deep sense of their frightening nobility and godlike connection to nature.  (On the other hand, I really enjoy being taken care of, fed, sheltered, and loved… so don’t cry for me too hard!)

Second is the strength of their Continue reading

0 How to handle the death of a loved one

daisymimi22 asks: My grandma had died yesterday. I am really sad about it, and think of her all the time. Can you please tell me how to turn back to life and be normal?

Hi daisymimi22 –

I’m awfully sorry to hear about your grandmother.  I know what it’s like to lose someone I dearly love, and it’s a devastating feeling.  When we dogs feel that way, we do something I think people should do more often – we howl.  We go outside and look up at the sky (especially if there’s a moon) and yell out a plaintive cry from the bottom of our soul.  It’s the saddest, loneliest sound in the world.  Which means that everyone who hears it instantly feels a part of the deep sadness and loss we’re feeling.  And that helps.  It really does.  Their feeling some of our sadness makes us feel a little less alone.

You might not like the answer I’m going to give to your question, daisymimi22, but here it is:  Why would you want to be Continue reading

3 How to get people to hire you for odd jobs

curiouscutie123 asks: I’m a teenager and want to earn money, but my country doesn’t allow people my age to have jobs, and I don’t know how to reach people who would hire a teen to babysit their children, or mow their lawn, or any other work. How can I find such people?

Hi curiouscutie123 –

The answer to your question is one word, and it’s a word that will probably mean more and more to you as you get older.  The word is “Marketing.”

Why have you ever heard of Coca Cola, and why do I know you have?  Because of marketing.  Why am I pretty sure that you know “Iron Man 3” is out?  Because of marketing.  And why in the world have you heard of a dog on the other side of the world from you, who is happy to offer suggestions to help out your life?  You got it, marketing.

Marketing is simply the first step in getting someone to know about, and hopefully be interested in, what you’re Continue reading

0 How to grow and take care of long hair

lovedino123lady asks: I am 13 years old, and have wavy curly hair. Can you give me advice on taking care of it?I am reaching for waist length. I would like to know how to grow it super long and fast.

Hi lovedino123lady –

Wow, we are so opposite!  I have straight hair that only grows to about an inch and a half (3 cms) at most.  So this is something I know almost nothing about!

I found what seem to be some good Continue reading

0 How to prepare for final exams

pumpkin asks: I have my board exams soon and I’m not prepared for them at all. Please give me any ideas how I should manage my syllabus so I can have it done on time.

Hi pumpkin –

To be able to tell you exactly what to study when would require a lot more knowledge than I have – both about your courses and about you.  But I can throw a few recommendations your way.

Let’s assume you have exactly four weeks to prepare for the start of six exams.  And then they will stretch out over three weeks.

First of all, spend the next three weeks working very hard, maybe as hard as you’ve ever worked, to create study lists for every class you have.  In other words, I want you to put all the time you need into making sure that you’ve read all the material, that you’ve worked to understand anything you didn’t grasp (which might include asking questions of other students or teachers), and that you’ve written out everything you’ll need to know for the tests.

Did you note that I said, “written out?”  That’s not the same thing as Continue reading

0 Why are exams necessary?

Pakshi asks: Can you tell me why are exams important?

Hi Pakshi –

I don’t like being tested!  When I get trained for sitting, coming, staying, heeling, and all that, I enjoy the learning, but then I feel ready to go play.  But every trainer (even Handsome) insists on testing me.  “Why?!” I think.  “Why do they have to do this?  I know whether I know it or not!”

But the truth is, Pakshi, they don’t know whether I Continue reading

0 Is it best to have a birthday party at school or home?

fatima asks: I want to celebrate my birthday, but I am confused whether it’s best to celebrate it at home or at school.

Hi fatima –

It sure makes sense to me that you’d want to have the best, most fun, party you can.  And that you’d wonder whether that party would most likely be at school or at home.

The first question I have is whether your school allows parties there.  Most schools don’t want to spend time on things like that, since the teachers need the time they have to get the kids all the education they need.

But if the school is okay with them, then my next question would be whether most Continue reading