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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Count On Canines To Defend Students

Ann Landers Creators Syndicate

Dear Ann Landers: I am a father who is concerned about the safety of my college-age children. Recent attacks on female students on college campuses have again raised the question of how single women can best protect themselves.

I believe we should encourage all universities to allow dogs in college dormitories to provide protection for these young women. Thousands of wonderful animals are being put to sleep daily at animal shelters. Allowing students to adopt these pets would be a major deterrent to on-campus attacks and at the same time save many animals.

Perhaps someday universities will set up their own animal shelters where students could “check out” dogs for their protection when they have to walk alone at night or be alone in their dorms. I’m sure parents and alumni would provide the financial support necessary. This could be a win-win situation for everyone, an idea whose time has come. What do you think, Ann? - Temple, Texas, Parent

Dear Parent: You may be right. I would like to hear from school administrators as well as parents who have children in dorms. I know the pros. What are the cons? Comments from students are welcome, as well.

Dear Ann Landers: My husband and I have been happily married for 13 years. We have a beautiful 9-year-old daughter. I would like to have another baby. I am 36 years of age, and my husband is 40. He feels it is too late for us to have another child. He insists that it would not be fair to the new baby to have parents who are in their 60s when he or she is only 24.

If I let my husband win this battle, I’m afraid I will look back in a few years and regret not having had another child. Will you please tell me what you think about this? - Is One Enough in Seattle?

Dear One: Sometimes, one is more than enough. It depends on the “one” and the parents.

A healthy 36-year-old woman is not too old for motherhood, and a 40-year-old daddy can be perfect. I hope your husband loses this battle. If he does, he’ll be thrilled a year from today. I have had many letters from couples who said the late dividend was the most cherished.

Dear Ann Landers: You recently asked for feedback from readers about what they had found while out jogging.

Several years ago, I noticed something sparkling in the dirt. It looked like a diamond, but I figured it was a cubic zirconia. With three young children, I didn’t have time to get it checked out, so I put it in my jewelry box. I came close to throwing it out more than once.

While getting a watch repaired not long ago, I decided to ask the jeweler to check out this piece. The sparkler turned out to be a very high-quality 2-carat diamond. My jeweler bought it from me for $6,000. - Alert in Houston

Dear Houston: Your jeweler was “alert,” too. A high-quality 2-carat diamond might have been worth a lot more.

Dear Ann Landers: I was inspired by the love story of Mrs. Snow, the nurse who married her patient, because 30 years ago, I was also snowed by a Mr. Snow.

We met Labor Day at a ski lodge in Vermont. There wasn’t any snow, but Mr. Snow was at Mt. Snow anyway. To say I was “snowed” is putting it mildly. Ten months later, I became Mrs. Snow, and nine months after that, we had a little Snow. It’s been warm and cozy ever since. - Marilyn Snow in New Jersey

Dear Marilyn: Beautiful. Thanks for letting us snow.