DEAR ABBY: My ex-boyfriend and I broke up two years ago. We were together for nearly three years. A year into our relationship, we rescued a puppy. We broke up when she was 2. Since then, we have shared her on and off. This arrangement worked fine because we have both been single.

I am now in a new relationship and feel that my ex and I should cut ties. We recently had a falling out, but he still wants to share the dog "until she is no longer in the picture."

Abby, I don't feel that it's feasible for us to continue sharing our dog for the next 12 to 15 years. My ex has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and I know she helps him. However, I feel like I can provide a better home for her and give her more attention. How do we decide who gets to keep the dog? -- STILL IN THE PICTURE

DEAR STILL IN THE PICTURE: You have a new boyfriend. Your ex has PTSD and needs her more than you do. Unless the animal was somehow mistreated when she was with him, let him have her.

DEAR ABBY: I work as a medical receptionist for a busy private practice. We get a lot of patients from other countries, and English is not their primary language. Speaking to these patients over the phone is often very difficult. How can I ask nicely for patients to constantly repeat themselves? I need to make sure I have the correct information so the doctor can treat the patient properly. -- RECEPTIONIST IN MARYLAND

DEAR RECEPTIONIST: Ask your employer how he or she wants those calls handled. There is no crime in repeating and re-repeating important information to be sure it is right. If the patient has a family member who accompanies him/her to appointments, perhaps it can be arranged that that person call the doctor's office to convey any necessary information.

DEAR ABBY: For my birthday my husband bought me an expensive designer purse. It was a dream come true to own this purse and I love it. My problem is it's so expensive that I'm embarrassed to wear it around in public. I don't want to look like a show-off. I don't know why I care, and probably most people don't care about what kind of purse I'm carrying. Why can't I enjoy the gift from my husband? -- SECRET IN THE CLOSET

DEAR SECRET: Not everyone is comfortable displaying the fact they have the kind of disposable income that affords them the ability to buy luxury goods. There are multiple reasons for this. Some women don't want the attention, others feel guilty that they have the money while their friends do not, some are afraid that if they "flash" it will excite jealousy, and others fear for their safety.

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend in her mid-40s who has naturally dark hair she keeps cut short. It looked fine.

A few months ago, she bleached her hair platinum blond. She said she was going for a look that will include dark roots, but she has kept the roots platinum, so now her hair just looks white -- especially in pictures. She posted photos of herself with her boyfriend on Facebook, and while I was scrolling down, my initial reaction was, "Who is that elderly woman he's sitting with?"

A mutual friend commented to me how bad my friend's hair looks and how aging it is. Should I mention to her that her hair color makes her look 20 years older? Telling someone her hair doesn't look good can be hurtful, but if it were me, I'd want to know. -- HELPFUL IN HAWAII

DEAR HELPFUL: Be diplomatic, but tell her. A tactful way to lead in would be to say you saw the pictures she posted on Facebook and the platinum hair makes her look "older." However, unless she asks how much older, don't volunteer, because if you say it's two decades, she may take offense.

DEAR ABBY: What is the rule for tipping in drive-thrus? I never thought a tip was necessary in places like that. If the service is good, a tip is warranted. Now many drive-thrus have a tip jar out on the ledge of the window.

It's like everyone seems to think they deserve one. A tip is expected when you get your vehicle inspected, your tires changed, your oil changed, manicures and hairstyling, among other things. How much is appropriate to tip for services? I certainly don't want to devalue someone's service if times have changed and this is commonplace. -- DRIVE-THRU TIPPING

DEAR DRIVE-THRU: For restaurant servers, hairstylists and manicurists, a 15 to 20 percent tip is expected. The same is true for taxi drivers, hotel personnel and skycaps. In other situations, a tip may be offered when the service performed has been exceptional.

If the service you received at the drive-thru was prompt, your order was correct and the person at the window was pleasant and helpful, either give the workers a couple of dollars or the loose change that's returned to you. However, a tip is not required.

DEAR ABBY: A woman friend of mine is angry at me because I have started dating a mutual friend of ours. She says when someone wants to date someone's friend, the polite thing to do is ask how the friend feels about it. Mind you, the man I'm going out with isn't her ex and was as good a friend to me as he was to her. If I had discussed the matter with her, what difference would it have made? She doesn't own him. Does her logic make sense to you? -- FREE AGENT IN TEXAS

DEAR FREE AGENT: No. Your "friend" has no prior claim on the man you're dating. That she would try to insert herself into your romantic life makes no sense, and you would be foolish to allow it.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 13-year-old female and I can't find a job. My mom is cheating on my stepdad. I feel like I have to be as independent as possible right now, otherwise I won't be able to do things.

I need to raise money for a camera. Photography is my passion. It's all I want in life. It's the only thing I'll ever love, besides my grandma, who is 72 with dementia.

Please help. I'm in a very big pickle. Is there any point to living? How do I get a job at 13? How do I confront my mother? Why can't my grandma be cured? Why is my life the worst thing about me? Please help me. -- ANONYMOUS TEEN IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR TEEN: You're very young and it's clear you are experiencing a lot of turmoil. But right now, you already have a job, and it's to concentrate on your studies. The better your grades are, the stronger your chances will be of completing your education and becoming an independent adult. Good grades will better your chances of qualifying for financial aid to accomplish that goal.

What may seem overwhelming right now -- including your sadness about your grandmother's illness -- can be overcome by staying physically active. I'm sorry you're experiencing all this at such a tender age, but it would be good for both of you if you give her as much love, patience and understanding as you can. Although there may be no cure for her illness right now, the worldwide scientific community is searching for an answer.

If you have the courage, talk to your mother privately about your concerns because you may be mistaken about her cheating. It would be healthier than bottling up your feelings as you have been doing.

P.S. For extra money, consider dog-walking, baby-sitting and odd jobs such as doing yard work for neighbors.

DEAR ABBY: I am deeply disturbed to have learned after having been married to "John" for four years, that he never divorced his last wife. He insists they are legally divorced because she abandoned him 10 years ago.

I feel betrayed, used and abused, and I don't know what to do. We've built a home and combined our finances. I can't even pay bills without him. If I leave, I lose everything I have established. What do I do? Please help me feel adequate again. -- BETRAYED IN THE SOUTH

DEAR BETRAYED: Talk to an attorney immediately! If you were not aware that he wasn't divorced when you married him, he has committed fraud as well as bigamy. You should not lose everything you have established; in fact, he'll be lucky if he isn't prosecuted.

DEAR ABBY: How do you know if a guy likes you? -- ASHLEY IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR ASHLEY: If a guy pays attention to you or tries to get your attention, then the odds are pretty good that he likes you.