DEAR ABBY: My husband is very affectionate. He loves to cuddle, snuggle and sweet-talk morning, noon and night. However, he doesn't do it with me -- he does it with our cats.
Don't get me wrong -- he's a good husband, and I get a quick hug and kiss goodbye when I leave for work in the mornings and he holds my hand when we walk. But when we go to bed at night, he turns his back to me, reaches behind him, pats me on the arm and says goodnight. There is no cuddling and no sweet-talk with me.
Sometimes I would like a little scratch behind my ears. We married late in life, so maybe the sex is out, but my late husband used to hold me and make me feel special. I'm only 62 and I can't imagine living this way for the rest of my life, but I love this man, so divorce is out. Any advice? -- "MEOW" IN OGDEN, UTAH
DEAR "MEOW": Was your husband like this before you married him? If so, did you accept his proposal thinking you could change him? If not, then it appears you have a serious communication problem.
If you haven't already, you need to tell him what you need in order to feel as loved and cherished as the cats. And if that doesn't work, you both need marriage counseling because I can't imagine you living the rest of your life starved for affection. As you said, you're only 62.