


Dear Abby >> I have been married for 27 years. Most of them have been miserable. My husband has been a functioning alcoholic for more than 40 years. I consider his behavior emotionally abusive. I hate my home. My kids (22, 19 and 17) don’t want me to leave him. I live in my bedroom all day by myself except to go to work. He now says he wants to take a pill to stop drinking. It’s just another lie. He will never do it. I am a shell of a woman at 56 and want to end it all. I am so miserable I can’t do another year of this.
— Can’t Go On Like This
Dear Can’t >> You shouldn’t have to “do” another year of this. Consult a lawyer about a legal separation and move out. Tell your well-meaning children that you may return when their father can prove that he has quit drinking. If he takes the meds, once he sobers up, he may be less emotionally abusive. (Don’t count on it.) However, if he fails to follow through, file for divorce.
Dear Abby >> I was invited to my niece’s wedding, and we immediately RSVP’d “yes.” I was also invited by her sister to her bridal shower and responded affirmatively. I have a service dog I take with me everywhere. I advised both parties that I was bringing him.
The sister told me I was uninvited or could leave my service dog outside on the porch. Now, a month later, three months after saying yes to the wedding, I am being told I’m uninvited to the wedding because of my service dog. Am I expected to still give a wedding gift?
— Going, Not Going, in Illinois
Dear Going >> Forget about the shower and wedding gift. If you feel generously inclined, send the happy couple a nice card. If your animal is, indeed, a trained service dog to help you should you need it, it was wrong to rescind your invitation(s).
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.