Abby 9-1

DEAR ABBY: I am writing hoping to avert another tragedy like we experienced last week. Our German shepherd, Leah, was playing with a hard rubber ball the size of a tennis ball. Somehow, the ball slid down her throat. I tried to dislodge it by grabbing and pulling it out, then I tried the Heimlich maneuver. Neither worked. By the time we got Leah to the veterinarian, she was dead. They tried for 25 minutes to revive her.

Leah was a friendly, funny, loving dog, not yet 2 years old. We miss her terribly. Abby, please tell your readers to never, ever let their dog play with any object that fits into its mouth. If it fits, it can lodge in the throat. I don't want anyone else to experience the pain of losing their dog like we lost ours.-- KAREN IN CENTER VALLEY, PA.

DEAR KAREN: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your beloved pet. However, because you wrote to other dog owners, take comfort in the knowledge that you have very likely saved another four-footed family member's life.

DEAR ABBY: My well-meaning mother continues to give me "classics" from her wardrobe that she no longer wears. I'm a size 6 to 8 in my 50s. Mom is in her 80s and wears 12 to 14. Our sense of style is also not the same.

My problem is, after insisting I take these items, she'll often ask for them back several years later. It becomes awkward when I must explain I gave her clothes away. How can I politely stop her from gifting me these items?-- NO LONGER HAS THEM

DEAR NO LONGER HAS THEM: Say, "Mom, these things won't fit me. But I'll be glad to drop them off at a charity thrift shop for you." It's honest, it's practical, and someone can enjoy them.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married three years, and we are both lucky to have families that are kind and supportive. However, there is one recurring issue with his family that I find annoying.

Nobody in my husband's family has a driver's license or owns a car. This includes his two aunts and mother, who all live in the same town we do. As the only driver in the family, I am regularly asked to shuttle relatives to the doctor, the pet groomer, the grocery store, etc.

Abby, none of them have any physical or mental disability that prevents them from driving. We live in a city with a number of cab companies that serve the area. I work hard so I can pay my car insurance bills, my car payments and buy gas to get to where I need to. I'm starting to resent being asked to drive three able-bodied adults who are perfectly capable of driving themselves or taking a taxi.

Am I being inconsiderate? Is there a way to politely convey that I do not wish to play chauffeur?-- DRIVEN CRAZY IN MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR DRIVEN CRAZY: Yes, there is -- and because these are his relatives, your husband should be the one to tell them that you have been generous enough and it's time for them to arrange other transportation.

L1: This letter makes me heartsick. The LW really spared no detail, it's horrifying to think about this happening to me.

L2: It's your MOTHER. You can't be honest and use your words with your own mother?

L3: Didn't you ever ask your husband, while you guys were still dating, why no one in his family drives? And how they get around? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so to speak, but I guess it's too late. Hubby needs to stick up for you and use his words.

1- Lesson learned. Keep your balls out of your dog's mouth.

2- Obvious solution. I'm surprised we aren't seeing letters from people asking Abby how to tie their shoes. God, people are stupid.

3- Yeah, screw that. I ain't no dam taxi service. They managed before you came along, start telling them no.

lw1 dumb advice. Dogs play with balls. I think it'd be funny if the lw put quote marks around Leah's name to keep the dog anonymous.

L2dumb

L3 what about your husband?

I'm one of two people in my family (up here) with a driver's license and/or a car. I just don't do it. They can take the damn bus.

My sister (in Cali) is the only one there with a DL and she is always shuttling her POS husband's POS family around. I keep telling her to stop, they managed to get around before she lived there, but she still does it. Whatever...

L1: How dumb can you be to allow your dog to play with a ball that would fit down his throat? I think all dog owners should be aware their dogs are like toddlers and you treat them as such. You wouldn't leave your dog alone outside without being 100% secure, right? That said, it's sad you lost your dog through something you didn't mean to happen. Lesson learned. Do a lot of people not know this?

L2: What Abby said. Why did you have to write in to learn this?

L3: If it's convenient for you, then do it. When it's not, say "Unfortunately, I have other plans." If someone doesn't have a way to get somewhere, it' s not your responsibility to make sure they get there, it's there's.

Seeing a theme here -- people not seeing what is obvious. Or maybe it's my mood. Not sure.

Topix is playing nutty. Eh, maybe it was worth saying twice, although I don't think so.

LW 1: I'll have to start throwing my neighbors dogs some small balls

LW 2: Do you you have a problem telling your mother the truth?

LW 3: You actually drive these losers and their pets to a pet groomer.