DEAR ABBY: I have a very dear friend, "Lois," who lives 600 miles from me. I visit her once or twice a year. She tries to make me feel welcome and comfortable. However, there's one big problem: her St. Bernard, "Bud."
When we sit down to eat, Bud stares at me face-to-face. His doggy breath wafts over my plate. He steals my food if I don't watch him closely.
Lois scolds him, but Bud ignores her. Then she looks at me with an "I'm sorry" expression and does nothing.
I think it is very rude to allow a dog to act this way. Lois could put Bud in another room or on the screened-in porch while we're eating, but she doesn't. This has made me so uncomfortable that I don't think I can bear another visit.
Abby, please print your opinion. Maybe Lois will read it in the paper and recognize herself. Thank you. -- DOGGONE DISGUSTED IN ALABAMA
DEAR DISGUSTED: I don't blame you for being disgusted. Dogs are pack animals -- and Bud is clearly "top dog" in Lois' household. Your friend should have asserted her dominance and exercised some discipline with her dog long ago.
You would be doing Lois a favor to level with her. And in the future, you'd be doing yourself a favor to stay in a hotel and arrange to have your meals with her away from the house until she teaches her pet some manners.