DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been around the same church community for practically my entire life. I'm moving to a new town where I know hardly anyone, so I’m going to have to find a new church family. I have no idea where to begin since I don't have any connections in the new town. I'm in my late 20s, and I want to find a young church with traditional values. How should I go about this? -- Churchgoer

DEAR CHURCHGOER: Start with your home church. Speak to the pastor to find out if they have any contacts in your new town or if they can put you in touch with a national office to help you with an introduction. Depending upon your church affiliation within the denomination, this could be an easy ask. Churches are typically eager to welcome young people, especially now, when attendance is down for much of the nation. Talk to an administrator to learn about churches that fit your personality and needs.

If that doesn’t work, look online for churches in your new town with young congregations and a traditional mindset. You are bound to find some options that you can visit. When you get to town, talk to people in your neighborhood about the churches there. Take your time, and attend the churches that are potential candidates so that you can get a sense of the pastor, the service and the congregation.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom is a 70-year-old woman. Her dog recently died after being with her for 15 years. I know that she would love to have another pet, but she fears that she's not at a place in her life where owning another pet makes sense. I think she is just being morbid. I know she wants another dog, and I want to surprise her with one. I genuinely don't know whether or not she'll be offended that I went against her wishes, but I figured it’s worth a shot. Do you think I’ll offend her by surprising her with another dog? She talks about missing her dog often -- even though she swears she doesn’t want another one. -- Missing Our Dog

DEAR MISSING OUR DOG: I do not believe in surprising people with animals. Caring for a pet is a tremendous responsibility. Unless you are willing and able to care for a dog for your mother, do not give her a pet without her blessing. What you can do is talk to her. Acknowledge her grief over her dog’s passing. She may need some time to mourn her dog before inviting another one into her life.

Tell her that you think it would be good for her to have a new pet, and you would like to gift her a dog. Ask if she would be willing to go with you to see some dogs and to consider welcoming a new pet into her home. The experience of visiting and meeting dogs that she might like can be an adventure that may cheer her up.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I joined a dating app a couple of months ago, and I connected with a really nice man who met all of my requirements. It wasn't until about two weeks ago that he started showing serious signs of instability. For example, if I’m busy and cannot answer my phone, he will call and text me incessantly. He’s even gone as far as to call my work number and make sure I’m there. On one occasion, he showed up at my house unannounced and practically begged me to let him inside. We are not even officially in a relationship -- we are only casually dating. I don’t know if I can look past this behavior. Should I have a talk with him or just cut him off altogether? -- Online Dater

DEAR ONLINE DATER: This man sounds dangerous. You definitely don’t want to keep dating him, but because he knows where you live and work, you have to be careful in distancing yourself from him. If possible, have a conversation with him on the phone and let him know that while you have enjoyed getting to know him, you do not want to go out with him anymore. Assure him that he is a nice guy, but you have decided that you do not want to continue this relationship. If he asks why, tell him that you don’t think you two are a good fit. Before you get serious, you want to stop.

Chances are, this won’t be enough. You should alert your neighbors, friends and job that this man may decide to lurk around, and you need them to have your back. You can contact the dating app and let them know that this man has some stalker tendencies. If he crosses the line -- as in trespassing or threatening you -- call the police.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister is a year older than me, and we grew up very close. We were roommates in college, and our kids were even born within the same year. When I moved away to a different state, we gradually grew apart.

When our kids were younger, we would spend holidays together, but now our kids are older and they all have their own lives. There's a lot of tension between my sister and me because I know she feels a bit excluded. What makes things more challenging is that when I do reach out to her, she seems to be upset with me. I would like to rebuild and strengthen my relationship with my sister. Life is too short to fight with the people you love. How can I fix our strained relationship? -- Sister Problems

DEAR SISTER PROBLEMS: Ask your sister to have an honest talk with you. Invite her to tell you what’s going on with her. Point out that she always seems to be upset with you when you talk, and you want peace in your relationship. Coax out of her what’s really going on. Whatever comes up, try to address it head-on. Remind her that you love her and her children and want more than anything to work together to release the tension and reclaim the tight bond you once shared.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend and I have been neighbors for 20 years. For 20 years, she’s been a short walk away from my home; she’s always been there whenever I’ve needed her (and vice versa). Recently, she told me she accepted a position in another state. Although I'm happy for her, I'm devastated that she is moving so far away from me. I'm excited for her to start this next chapter of her life, but it's hard for me to be happy for her knowing that I'm being left behind. How can I be a supportive friend without showing how truly sad I am that she is leaving? -- Losing My Friend

DEAR LOSING MY FRIEND: You two are close, so it’s natural that you would be sad -- devastated, even. It’s also OK to tell her. Chances are, she is feeling emotional about this change in her life, too. What you probably need is to have a good cry with her, swap stories about wonderful memories that you have created together, and help her pack.

Many dear friends are close even when they live many miles apart. This can be true for the two of you. You can still visit each other. Don’t consider this goodbye. Instead, think of it as a new chapter in your lives.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I can't stand my boyfriend’s taste in music. Music is extremely important to me, as I am a recording artist. I believe that music reflects your soul and who you truly are. There isn't a single song that I've played for him that he's liked; he doesn't even like the music I make. I'm not offended that he doesn't like my music because it doesn't tend to attract his demographic anyway, but I'm afraid this is the beginning of a deeper issue for us. I don't like the fact that we can't bond over something as simple as music. Do you think this is a sign of a deeper issue? -- Songstress

DEAR SONGSTRESS: I remember when I met my husband and began to listen to the music that he likes. It was so different from my musical choices. Some of it I liked; some, I didn’t. Now, nearly 30 years later, our musical tastes remain very different. Sometimes when he is listening to his favorite radio station in the car, I pop in my headphones and listen to something else. Often, we take turns listening to each other’s channels when we are driving long distances. The point is: We figured out ways to compromise without judgment. We accept that we like different things.

If you two can come to that agreement and be willing to listen to each other’s music from time to time, it may not become an issue for you. The one trouble spot may be the fact that your boyfriend doesn’t like your music. But even that can be overcome. We don’t always like, understand or appreciate our partner’s work. As long as you two can avoid passing judgment, you can work it out.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)