DEAR ABBY: I am a girl who has had my heart broken for the first time. I know I should get over this boy, but I can't stop thinking about him. My mom loved him. We hung out every weekend for six months.

I thought I might have been pregnant. I'm not -- but I want to be. I know I'm not ready to be a mom, but I want someone to love me and depend on me. I need someone who won't leave me. I know my baby wouldn't.

Should I become a mom? How do I get over my boyfriend? Do I stop talking to him and just be his friend? Abby, tell me the right way. -- LOVESICK IN YUCCA VALLEY, CALIF.

DEAR LOVESICK: Becoming a mother is not the way out of your heartache. Any young woman considering having a child must ask herself how she can provide financially and emotionally for that child. Most teenaged girls who become pregnant do not complete their high school education, and it has a negative impact on their ability to provide for themselves and their children.

The right way to work through this breakup is to talk to your mother or another trusted adult about your feelings. Stop trying to maintain contact with your former boyfriend. To continue will only prolong your pain. Dedicate yourself to achieving the most you can for yourself in sports and academics. It will give you less time to brood, and the more you achieve the more sought-after you will become.

It won't happen overnight. It will take time, concentration and dedication. If you take my advice you will come out of this disappointment a much happier person. But having a baby is not the answer.

DEAR ABBY: Eight months ago I began a weight-loss program the same week as my best friend, "Darby." We both have the same amount to lose, but she is using an expensive "liquid fast" combined with a private personal trainer at a gym. She has already spent a few thousand dollars.

I am working completely on my own, and have lost 30 pounds. Darby has lost 32.

She came over to visit and brought with her a huge stack of her old clothes, saying they no longer fit, but implying they would fit me! I do weigh a bit more than she does, but I am 4 inches taller.

I was offended, but too shocked to say anything. I put the clothes in my coat closet to dispose of later. What should I have said to my "friend"? I am really hurt. -- INSULTED IN SAN FRANCISCO

DEAR INSULTED: How about this? "Thank you. Perhaps I can have them taken in or lengthened -- or save them for a short, fat friend."

DEAR ABBY: When I am the guest in someone's car, I always offer money for gas -- $20 if it's a day-long trip, for example. If I'm short of cash, I'll tell the driver in advance and contribute once I get the money.

I know someone who seldom contributes money for gas when we travel long-distance together. He's not unemployed or financially strapped, either. Is this rude on his part? -- SIGHTSEER IN JERSEY CITY

DEAR SIGHTSEER: It qualifies as insensitive -- and possibly cheap. Before agreeing to another jaunt with this person, be sure you have an agreement in advance about how much he will be ponying up for petrol.

Good advice for everyone -- teens to seniors -- is in "The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby -- Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: My 6-year-old daughter, "Meg," has severe eczema. She's highly allergic to a long list of things, including dogs. Recently, at a basketball court and at an outdoor restaurant, we encountered some dog owners who refused to pull their dogs back after I informed them about her allergy. Both said, "It's a public place!" as if my daughter should not be in public. One man even argued that my child "couldn't possibly" be allergic to his poodle.

I take my children out in public often, and I never allow them to touch other people. Why can't dog owners understand the concept? Other than avoiding public areas that are dog friendly, and pulling my daughter away whenever she's touched by a dog, what can I do? -- MOM KNOWS BEST, IRVINE, CALIF.

DEAR MOM: The idea that dog owners would fail to pull their animals back after being told someone was highly allergic shocks me. However, because you can't make everyone behave responsibly, you will have to "dog proof" your daughter.

At 6, she's old enough to understand the reason she's broken out and itching is because she came in contact with one of the things to which she is allergic. Teach her to stay out of reach and to announce loudly, "Please hold your dog back! I'm allergic!" when the situation calls for it. And if you are with her and see someone with an animal approach, you should take the initiative and say emphatically, "My daughter is highly allergic to dogs. Please keep it away from my child!"

And while I'm at it, no child -- or adult -- should ever touch a strange dog without the owner's permission because you never know how the animal might react.

DEAR ABBY: I work at the front desk of a construction company. My work area is located in the lobby. I'm responsible for greeting visitors, answering the phone, typing letters and other administrative tasks. The only thing separating me from the visitors is a 12-inch-high counter that surrounds my desk.

Quite often, visitors must wait several minutes for the person they're seeing to come to the lobby. When they do, they often plant both arms on the counter, drape themselves over the top and scan every piece of paper on the surface of my desk, including what's showing on my computer screen. They also try to converse with me while I'm trying to work and answer the phone. I find this rude, inappropriate and an invasion of my personal work space.

How can I convey this to visitors without coming across as rude and jeopardizing the company's relationship with them? Desk modifications are not an option. -- BITING MY TONGUE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

DEAR BITING YOUR TONGUE: Ask your boss how sensitive the correspondence you are handling is, and explain that it is being viewed by clients who walk in. Some offices handle the problem by keeping documents face down when they are not being worked on. Also, consider tilting your computer monitor and installing a privacy screen to block the view.

Because client relations is part of your job description, do not allow your annoyance at chatty clients to show. Smile and say, "I'd love to talk, but I have a ton of work I have to finish. Would you like a magazine-newspaper-water while you wait?" If that doesn't do the trick, find out from your boss which of your tasks takes precedence.

DEAR ABBY: "Devastated in Oklahoma" (June 18) asked how she can be supportive of her father, who is battling lung cancer. I was in a similar situation 3 1/2 years ago when my dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood.

It was terrifying witnessing the physical impact it had on my dad. I realized there wasn't anything I could do for his pain -- that was up to his doctors. But I figured out what I could do: I could raise money for cancer research.

I joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training and trained for an endurance bike ride while raising money for cancer. It was the greatest experience not only for me, but also for my dad, who was extremely touched by the number of donations. It gave him a morale boost.

I would like to encourage "Devastated" to look for a similar program in her area. It may help her deal with the diagnosis, knowing she's helping current and future patients just like her dad. "Devastated" doesn't have to be an athlete to sign up. I didn't even own a bike when I started the journey! -- EMMY IN ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

DEAR EMMY: Taking a proactive stance is an excellent suggestion and one I am happy to pass along to "Devastated." Read on:

DEAR ABBY: With two cancer survivors in my family, I heartily endorse your advice. Even when we faced a 10 percent chance of survival, we worked, prayed, researched and talked about hopeful prospects. It helped us all in valuable ways.

There were dark days, but love of family, attention to medical messages, prayer and forward thinking can make a huge difference in the healing process. This is a time for "Devastated" to bond in new ways with her father. -- BEEN THERE, TOO

DEAR ABBY: My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, too. She had one-fourth of her left lung removed. We thought it might be the end for her, but it certainly wasn't. She lived for seven more years, and I cherished the extra time I had with her. I hope "Devastated" will treasure every second with her father now. -- BARBARA IN NEW MEXICO

DEAR ABBY: As a father of two and grandfather of four, I know there is nothing more wonderful than being involved with one's progeny. "Devastated" should know that when her father comforted her, he was given the opportunity to do what a father loves to do -- show love to his child. And believe me, to know he was needed was a comfort to him as well. She need not worry. She is right where she needs to be. -- PAPA IN HAYWARD, CALIF.

DEAR ABBY: "Devastated" should consider hospice if her father decides to stop treatment. It's a godsend and costs nothing. Most of all, she needs to let her father comfort her and to be her daddy for as long as possible. It will make him feel better. Let him know she loves him and will support any decision he makes. It is OK to cry, and to cry with him. -- MARY IN OKLAHOMA

DEAR ABBY: My brave, strong, loving father was killed instantly in a car accident. When I learned about it, I wished I had him to comfort me. "Devastated" is fortunate to still have time with her father.

She should not feel guilty about her feelings; they are perfectly normal. She needs to be his daughter first, his second pair of ears throughout his treatment and his caregiver if needed. The strength will come when she needs it. -- STILL MISSING MY DAD

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: "Abby's Favorite Recipes" and "More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $12 (U.S. funds)