DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I have a golden lab and my roommate has a tabby cat. The animals get along just fine, but that cat is one destructive furball. So far, she’s trashed my leather recliner, shredded the legs of the kitchen table and chairs, and damaged the carpets with her peeing outside the litter box.

I keep my dog crated while I’m out of the apartment, but the cat is free to roam and destroy at will.

I’ve spoken to my roommate about the problem a bunch of times, but she just laughs it off with a cute remark about cats will be cats.

I’m done with her cat, but I can’t afford to live without a roommate. If my dog is expected to behave, why can’t this cat be controlled better? --- DOG GUY

DEAR DOG GUY: Perhaps your roommate could follow your lead and confine the cat when no one is around to stop its destructive behavior. Keeping the cat secured in one particular room or even in a crate might help minimize some of the damage.

You also need to make your concerns very clear to your roommate. Let her know you find it neither cute nor unimportant, especially when it’s your belongings that are being ruined.

If she can’t control her pet, be sure she understands she’ll have to replace the items her cat destroys. Being held financially responsible for the actions of her pet might help her take your complaints seriously.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My mom is driving me crazy with her always calling or texting me with reminders of stuff she wants to make sure I don’t forget to do, like I am a kindergartener or something, instead of an adult man. I asked my sister about whether or not Mom does this to her, and she told me no.

How do I get my mother off my back? --- NOT A LITTLE KID ANYMORE

DEAR NOT A LITTLE KID ANYMORE: I agree that adults should be treated like adults, but it’s up to them to act that way. Have you given your mother cause to believe you might not be the most organized person in the world?

If you believe your mom is unfairly singling you out, or not trusting you to take care of things for yourself, by all means, talk to her; but also listen to what she has to say about how she sees you getting by. It may be that she’s having trouble cutting the apron strings ─ or that you actually could use a little nudge now and again.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My girlfriend and I have been together for nearly a year and her mom and dad live in two different towns only about two hours away. It bugs me that even though she goes home every couple months for a weekend, she has never invited me along, and has never even talked about my meeting her parents.

We’re not getting married or even engaged anytime soon, but don’t you think it’s odd she never invites me home with her? She’s met my parents a bunch of times already. --- WANTS TO MEET THE PARENTS

DEAR WANTS TO MEET THE PARENTS: It could be that going home for her isn’t an easy experience, especially if she tries to get in visits with her mom, her dad, other family members, and some old friends. It’s also possible that there’s something in her family situation she hasn’t shared with you yet.

Talk to her about your feelings. For all you know, she may be assuming you have no interest in going with her. You may find she’s been waiting for you to open the door.